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' ^ JUN 11 1952 ,
OKia^Jm.1^^
DOCTRINE,
CONSTITUTION AND DISCIPLINE,
OF THE ,
UNITED BRETHEEN IN CHRIST.
DAYTON, O.,
UNITED BEETHREN PEINTINQ ESTABLISHMEirT
1869.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Ardent Spirits 90
Bisliops— Election and duties uf. 54
Building of Meeting-lioucit's 103
Burial of the Dead 125
Boundaries of Confei-enccs 134
Alleghany .^. 136
Auglaize ,.,.-..'. 141
Oalifori)ia :,!.. 154
Cascade i..' 154
De8 Moinee, East 152
Des Moines, West »...,. 153
Erie 137
Fox River I'.O
German, East 165
Illinois 148
Illinois Central 149
Indiana 145
Iowa 15]
Iowa, North 151
Kansas 154
Michigan US
Missouri 153
Miami 142
Minnesota 151
Muskingum , 138
Oregon < , 154
Osage 154
Ontauo 154
Ohio, German ,.,..... 155
Ohio. North : 142
Pennsylvania 135
Parkersburg 146
Pennsylvania, East 134
Hock River 149
Scioto 139
St. Joseph „ 143
Sandusky ■. 140
Tennessee -. 155
Virginia... 134
Wabash, Upper 147
Wabash, Lower v 147
White River 144
(iii)
IV CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Western Reserve 137
Wiscousin 150
Confession of Faith 14
Constitution 17
Constitution of Mif^siouary Society 110
Conference, (leTieml 38
" Annual 42
" Quarterly 68
Course of Reading 126
" " German \3%
Classes 28
Charters 131
Certificates 132
Church Erection Society 116
Doctrinal Publications 88
Exhorters 31
Elders— Election of 59
" Duties of 65
" Ordination of. 62
" Presiding 66
Itineracy— Organization of, 46
Members — Reception of..... 21
Trial of. 76
Marriage Ceremony 122
Origin of the Church 5
Official Meetings 74
Oaths 89
Preachers — Reception of. 32
" Duties of 35
" Itinerant— Duties of 49
" Immoral Conduct of.. 81
Printing Establishment 119
Salaries 84
Sabbath-Schools 94
Secret Societies 85
Slavery •'... 87
Singing 109
Union — Necessity of 90
"Visiting '. 92
War 88
ORIGIN
OP THE •
UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST,
In the eigliteenth century it pleased
the Lord our Grod to awaken persons
in different parts of the world, who
should raise up the Christian religion
from its fallen stat«, and preach the
gospel of Christ crucified in its purity.
About the middle of the said cen-
tury, the Lord, in mercy, remembered
the Germans in America, who, living
scattered in this extensive country, had
but seldom an opportunity to hear the
gospel of a crucified Savior preached
to them in their native language.
Among others, he raised up William
Otterbein and Martin Boehm, in the
5
6 UNITED BRETHREN
state of Pennsylvania, and George A.
GrEETiNG in the state of Maryland —
armed them with spirit, grace, and
strength, to labor in his neglected vine-
yard, and to call, among the Grermans in
America, sianers to repentance. These
men obeyed the call of their Lord and
Master. Their labors were blest, and
they established in many places excel-
lent societies, and led many precious
souls to Jesus Christ. Their sphere of
action spread more and more, so that
they found it necessary to look about for
more fellow-laborers to engage in the
vineyard of the Lord, for the harvest
was great and the laborers but few.
The Lord called others, who were will-
ing to devote their strength to his serv-
ice; such, then, were accepted by one
or other of the preachers as fellow-la-
borers.
The number of members in the So-
ciety in different parts of the country,
DISCIPLINE. 7
continued to increase from time to time;
and the gracious work of reformation
spread through the states of Pennsyl-
vania, Maryland and Virginia. Several
great meetings were appointed and held
annually; when on such occasions Ot-
TERBEIN would hold particular conver-
sations with the preachers then present,
represent to them the importance of the
ministry, and the necessity of their ut-
most endeavors to save souls. At one
of these meetings, it was resolved to
hold a conference with all the preach-
ers, in order to take into consideration
how, and in what manner, they might
be most useful.
The first Conference was held in the
City of Baltimore, Maryland, in the
year of our Lord, 1789. The follow-
ing preachers were present, viz :
Wm. Otterbein, Adam Lehman,
Maetin Boehm, John Ernst,
Geo. a. Geeting, Henry Weidneb,
8 UNITED BRETHREN
The second conference was held in
Paradise township, York county, Penn-
sylvania, at the house of Bro. Spang-
LER, in the year of our Lord, 1791.
The following preachers were present,
viz:
Wm. Otterbein, John Eenbt,
Maetin Boehm, J. G. Pfrimmee,
Geo. a. Geexing, John Neidig,
Ch'n. Newcomer, Benedict Sanders,
Adam Lehman.
After mature deliberation how they
might labor most usefully in the vine-
yard of the Lord, they again appointed
guch as fellow-laborers whom they had
cause to believe had experienced true
religion in their souls.
In the meantime, the number of
members continued to increase, and the
preachers were obliged to appoint an
annual conference, in order to unite
themselves more closely, and to labor
more successfully in the vineyard of
the Lord; for some 'had been Presby-
mSCIPLINE. 9
terians or German Reformed ; some
Lutherans, and others Mennonites.
They accordingly appointed a confer-
ence to be held on the 25th of Septem-
ber, 1800, in Frederick county, Mary-
land, at the house of Bro. Frederick
Kemp. The following preachers were
present, viz :
Wm. Otteubein, Christian Keum,
Martin Boehm, Henry Krum,
Geo. a. Geeting, John Hershey,
Ch'n Newcomer, Jacob Geisingee,
Adam Lehman, Henry Boehm,
Abraham Tracksel, Diet'k Aurand,
J, G. Pfrimmer.
There they united themselves into a
society which bears the name, " United
Brethren in Christ," and elected
Wm. Otterbein and Martin Boehm,
as superintendents or bishops, and
agreed that each of them should be at
liberty as to the mode and manner of
baptism, to perform it according to his
own convictions.
iO UNITED BRETHREN
From this time, the sobiety increas-
ing still more and more, preachers were
appointed to travel regularly, inas^much
as the number of preaching places
eould not otherwise be attended to ;
and the work spread itself into the
states of Ohio and Kentucky. It then
became necessary to appoint a confer-
ence in the state of Ohio, because it
was conceived too laborious for the
preachers who labored in those states
to travel annually such a great distance
to conference.
In the meantime, brothers BoEHM
and GrEETiNG died, and brother Otter-
BEIN desired that another bishop should
be elected (because infirmity and old
age would not permit him to superin-
tend any longer), who should take
charge of the society, and preserve dis-
cipline and order. It was resolved at a
former conference, that whenever one
of the bishops died another should be
DISCIPLINE. 11
elected in his place : accordingly brother
Christian Newcomer was elected
Bishop, to take charge of, and superin-
tend the concerns of the society.
The want of a Discipline in the So-
ciety had long been deeply felt, and
partial attempts having been made at
different timesf it was resolved at the
conference held in the state of Ohio,
that a general conference should be
held in order to accomplish the same,
in a manner not derogatory to the Word
of God. The members of this confer-
ence were to be elected from among the
preachers in the different parts of the
country, by a vote of the Society in
general. The following brethren were
duly elected, viz :
Ch'n Newcomer, Daniel Troter,
Abr'm Heibtaxd, Geo. Benedum,
Andrew Zeller, Abr'm Tracksel,
Christian Berger, Henry G. Spatth,
Abraham Mykr, I. Nighswangee,
John Schneider, Christian Keum,
Henry Kumler, Jacob Bowlus.
12 UNITED BRETHREN
The conference convened on the 6th
of June, 1815, near Mount Pleasant,
Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.
After mature deliberation, they pre-
sented to their brethren a discipline,
containing the doctrine and rules of the
Church, desiring that they, together
with the Word of God, should be strict-
ly observed.
God is a God of order, but where
there is no order nor church discipline,
the spirit of love and charity will be
lost.
Therefore, brethren, we beseech you
to follow the example of our Lord ; as
it is written, "Be kindly affectioned
one to another, with brotherly love ; in
honor preferring one another. Let the
mind be in you which was in Christ,
who took upon him the form of a serv-
ant, humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of
the cross," that by his grace we may
DISCIPLINE. 13
submit ourselves one to another in the
fear of Grod. He who will not submit
is in want of humble love. Jesus said,
** Whosoever will be chief among you,
let him be your servant. By this shall
all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another; and
whoso loveth not his brother abideth in
death." Let us walk in newness of
life, that the prayer of our Lord may
be answered in us : that we may be one
in him, and that he may give us the
glory which he gave to his disciples,
that we may be one even as He and the
Father are one. Therefore, beloved
brethren, let us strive to be like-mind-
ed, having the same love, being of one
accord, of one min.d. Let no one
speak or think evil of his brother, but
pray God that he may grant us His
Spirit and an earnest desire to lead a
truly devoted life, to the honor and
glory of His holy name. Amen.
14 UNITED BRETHREN
SECTION I.
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
In the name of G^od we declare and
confess before all men, that we believe
in the only true Grod, the Father, the
Son and the Holy Ghost, that these
three are one: the Father in the Son,
the Son in the Father, and the Holy
G-host equal in essence or being with
both; that this triune God created the
heavens and the earth, and all that in
them is, visible as well as invisible,
and furthermore sustains, governs, pro-
tects, and supports the same.
We believe in Jesus Christ; that
He is very God and man; that he be-
came incarnate by the power of the
Holy Ghost in the virgin Mary, and
was born of her ; that he is the Savior
and Mediator of the whole human race,
DISCIPLINE. 15
if they with full faith in him accept the
grace proffered in Jesus; that this Je-
sus suffered and died on thfe cross for
us, was buried, arose again on the third
day, ascended into heaven, and sitteth
on the right hand of Grod, to intercede
for us ; and that he shall come again at
the last day, to judge the quick and
the dead.
We believe in the Holy Ghost ; that
he is equal in being with the Father
and the Son, and that he comforts the
faithful, and guides them into all truth.
We believe in a holy Christian
church, the communion of saints, the
resurrection of the body, and life ever-
lasting.
We believe that the Holy Bible, Old
and New Testament, is the word of
God ; that it contains the only true way
to our salvation ; that every true Chris-
tian is bound to acknowledge and re-
ceive it with the influence of the Spirit
16 UNITED BRi;THREN
of God, as the only rule and guide ; and
that without faith in Jesus Christ, true
repentance, forgiveness of sins, and
following after Christ, no one citn be a
true Christian.
We also believe that what is con-
tained in the Holy Scriptures, to wit :
the fall in Adam and redemption
through Jesus Christ, shall be preached
throughout the world.
We believe that the ordinances, viz :
baptism and the remembrance of the
sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus
Christ, are to be in use, and practiced
by all Christian societies ; and that it is.
incumbent on all the children of God
particularly to practice them ; but the
manner in which ought always to be
left to the judgment and understanding
of every individual. Also the example
of washing feet is left to the judgment
of every one, to practice or not : but it
is not becoming for any of our preach-
DISCIPLINJE. 17
ers or mombers to traduce any of their
brethren whose judgment and under-
standing in these respects is different
from their own, either in public or pri-
vate. Whosoever shall make himself
guilty in this respect, shall be consid-
ered a traducer of his brethren, and
shall be answerable for the same.
SEX^TION II.
CONSTITUTION.
We, the members of the Church of
the United Brethren in Christ, in
the name of God, do, for the perfecting
of the saints, for the work of the min-
istry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ, as well as to produce and secure
a uniform mode of action, in faith and
practice, also to define the powers and
the business of quarterly, annual and
general conferences, as recognized by
this Church, ordain the following arti-
cles of Constitution.
2
18 UNITED BRETHREN
AKnCLE I.
Section X. All ecclesiastical power
herein granted, to make or repeal any
rule of discipline, is vested in a gen-
eral conference, which shall consist of
elders, elected by the members in every
conference district throughout the So-
ciety ; provided, however, such elders
shall have stood in that capacity three
years, in the conference district to
which they belong.
Sec. 2. General conference is to be
held every four years; the bishops to
be considered members and presiding
officers.
Sec. 3. Each annual conference
shall place before the Society the names
of all the elders eligible to member-
*!hip in the general conference.
ARTICLE II.
Section 1. The general conference
[ihall define the boundaries of the an-
nual conferences. '
DISCIPLINE. 19
Sec. 2. The general conference
shall, at every session, elect bishops
from among the elders tb'-oughout the
Church, who have stood six years in
that capacity.
Sec. 3. The business of each an-
nual conference shall be done strictly
according to Discipline ; and any an-
nual conference acting contrary there-
unto, shall, by impeachment, be tried
by the General Conference.
Sec. 4. No rule or ordinance shall
at any time be passed, to change or do
away the Confession of Faith as it now
stands, nor to destroy the itinerant
plan.
Sec. 5. There shall no rule be
adopted that will infringe upon , the
rights of any as it relates to the mode
of baptism, the sacrament of the Lord's
supper, or the washing of feet.
Sec. 6. There shall be no rule made
20 UNITED BRETHREN
that will deprive local preacliers of their
votes iu the annual conferences to
which they severally belong.
Sec. 7. There shall be no connec-
tion with secret combinations, nor shall
involuntary servitude be tolerated in
any way.
Sec. 8. The right of appeal shall be
inviolate.
ARTICLE III.
The right, title, interest, and claim
of all property, whether consisting in
lots of ground, meetiug-houses, lega-
cies, bequests or donations of any kind,
obtained by purchase or otherwise, by
any person or persons, for the use,
benefit, and behoof of the church of
the United Brethren in Christ, is here-
by fully recognized and held to be the
property of the Church aforesaid.
I
DISCIPLINE. 21
ARTICLE IV.
There shall be no alteration of the
foregoing Constitution, unless by re-
quest of two-thirds of the whole So-
ciety.
SECTION III.
RECEPTION AND DUTIES OF MEM-
BERS.
Ques. How shall members be taken
into our Society ?
Ans. When at any meeting a per-
son makes known a design to become
a member of our Society, then the
preacher present shall ask such person
the following questions :
1. Do ycu believe the Bible to be
the word of God ?
2. Have you experienced the pardon
of your sins, and are you determined
by the grace of God to save your
soul ?
22 UNITED BRETHREN
3. Are you willing to be governed
by our CliurcK discipline ?
1. If the person answer the above
questions in tl.e alBrniiitive, and no
lawful objections be made by any mem-
ber on aC':ount of immoral conduct,
then the preacher shall give his right
hand to such pc/son as a member of
our Society, and record the name on
the Church or class-book ; but so long
as any person can not answer the above
questions in the affirmative, such per-
son shall not be considered in full
membership, and shall have no vote in
the Society, but shall be recognized as
a seeker, under the watch- care of the
Church.
2. If any persons thus received un-
der the watch -care of the Church shall
cease to manifest a desire to seek the
Lord, the preacher in charge, by the
consent of the class, can, at any time,
after personal labor for their salvation
DISCIPLINE. 23
by the preacher in charge, or class-
leader, publicly djfop the name of such
seekers.
3. All members of this Society
shall acknowledge and confess that
they believe the word of God ; that
they will hencefo/"th strive, with all
their hearts, to seek their eternal
welfare in Christ Jesus, and work out
their salvation with fear and trembling,
to the end that they may be enabled
to flee from the wrath to come.
4. Every member shall endeavor to
lead a good life ; be diligent in prayer,
particularly in private,' and, for his
own edification, attend, when practica-
ble, all of our prayer and class-meet-
ings, and meetings for public worship.
5. Heads of families should never
omit to pray with their families, morn-
ings and evenings, and set them a good
example in all the Christian virtues.
6. Every one should strive to walk
24c UNITED BRETHREN
as in the presence of God ; also, accus-
tom himself to a close communion with
God in all his employments, and never
speak evil of his fellow beings, but
practice love toward friend knd foe ; do
good to the poor, and endeavor to be a
follower of Jesus Christ indeed.
7. Every one shall keep the Sabbath-
day holy, as required in the word of
God ; neither buy nor sell, but spend
the same in exercises of devotion, in
reading and hearing the word of God,
and with singing spiritual hymns to the
honor and glory of God.
8. It is the duty of every member to
lead a quiet, peaceable, and godly life
among men, as it becomes a Christian
to live in peace, and be subject to the
higher or ruling powers, as the word
of God requires.
9. It shall be the duty of all our
members to encourage our Sabbath-
schools by their presence when practi-
DISCIPLINE. 25
cable, and always lend them their aid
and influence.
10. It is the duty of all members of
the Church to pay toward the support
of the itinerant ministry, quarterly, or
oftener if need be, in proportion to
their ability, as Grod has prospered
them ; for the Lord hath ordained that
they who preach the Gospel shall live
by the Gospel. 1st Cor. ix, 14th verse.
1st Tim. V, 18.
11. Each member of our Society
should willingly and freely contribute
quarterly, or oftener, if need be, as
God has prospered him or her (1st
Cor. xvi: 2), to the support of the
helpless poor.
12. When it is known by any of our
class-leaders that there are poor mem-
bers among them, who, by sickness, ac-
cident, or other unavoidable circum-
stances, have been brought to want, it
ehall be the duty of the leader in
26 UNITED BRETHREN
charge to go, or appoint one to wait
upon the class, to ask alms, money,
clothing, or produce, as the circum-
stances may require ; and should any
one class be too poor to alleviate its
poor, it shall then be made known to
the preacher in charge, whose duty it
shall be to inform the different classes
on his circuit ; and if it should so hap-
pen that any one circuit should be in-
sufficient to meet the wants of its poor,
it shall be the duty of the presiding
elder to present the matter on the dif-
ferent circuits at their quarterly con-
ferences, so that, the unavoidably poor
of our Church may be considered and
provided for. 1 John, iii : 17. Ps.
xli : 1, 2.
The foregoing rules are drawn up
for the better regulation of our Society ;
and we believe they are founded in the
word of God, and incumbent on all who
are members of our Church to observe.
iVlStnPLINE. 27
Should any violate or liabitually neglect
these rules, they shall be, by their re-
spective class-leaders, admonished to
reformation ; and should they not re-
form, they shall be suspended or ex-
pelled, as the case may require.
Inasmuch as the Lord has com-
manded us not to be conformed to this
world (llom. xii : 2), to lay apart nil
filthiness, and superfluity of iiauiihti-
ness (James i : 21), and a? the princi-
ples of the Christian religion, as taught
both by the precepts and example of
the meek and adorable Savior, are i«
strict and perfect accordance with these
commandments : We therefore humbly
beseech and admonish the members of
our Church to observe these divine
precepts, especially in the wearing of
gold and jewels, which is forbidden ex-
pressly in the word of God, and also
in the wearing of artificials, and buying,
and making and wearing of apparel,
28 UNITED BRETHREN
and the cutting and wearing of the
hair — most ESPECIALLY our ministers
and their families, they being ensam-
ples to the flock.
It is the advice of the General Con-
ference, that all districts, stations, cir-
cuits, and missions, cheerfully receive
the preachers appointed by the station-
ing committee of the respective annual
conferences.
SECTION IV.
CLASSES.
1. A class shall consist of three oi
more members, who shall annually
elect one member from their own or
some other class, who shall be called
their leader.
2. Classes shall be divided, or new
ones formed, by a committee, consisting
of the preacher in charge, and one or
more brethren, elected by the Church
DISCIPLINE. 29
or class at any place where it may be
deemed necelsary.
3. In case it becomes impracticable
to keep up an organization by the
election of class officers, the members
at such place shall be required to join
the nearest class ; and an}' one failing
to do so may be dropped.
Ques. What is the duty of a leader?
Ans. 1. It shall be his duty to meet
his class, in class or prayer-meeting, at
least once a week, to speak to them
concerning the spiritual welfare of their
souls, and exhort them to unity and
love. He shall extend the freedom of
our prayer and class-meetings to all
sincere and well-disposed persons who
may desire to attend them. And it
shall be his duty to visit any member
or members of his class who may absent
themselves from our regular social
meetings.
Any class-leader failing to discharge
30 UNITED BiiETHREN
these duties may, on complaint, be re-
moved by the quarterly conference.
2. Every class shall annually elect
(or, if the class prefer it, the preacher
may appoint) one who shall be called
class-steward.
Ques. What is the duty of a steward ?
An&. 1. He shall collect quarterly
contributions, or oftener than quarterly,
if needed, for the support of the travel
ing preachers. He shall keep an ac-
curate account of the amount paid by
each member of the class,' and report
the same to each quarterly conference
or official meeting.
2. For the faithful discharge of his
duties as steward of his class, he shall
be accountable to the quarterly con-
ference, which shall have power to dis-
miss him for official delinquency.
3. It shall also be his duty to pro-
vide the elements for Sacrament.
DISCIPLINE. 31
SECTION V.
EXHORTERS.
Ques. How are exhorters received ?
Ans. Any person wishina; to obtain
license to exhort or preach must obtain
from the class of which he is a member,
by a vote of two-thirds of the mem-
bers, a recommendation in writing,
signed by the leader, or preacher in
charge, to the quarterly conference of
the circuit, station, or mission to which
he belongs.
Ques. What are the duties of exhort-
ers?
Ans. To make appointments wher-
ever acceptable to the people ; read
portions of sacred Scripture, exhordng
therefrom ; exhorting saints, that they
with purpose of heart should cleave to
the Lord, and sinners to flee from
the wrath to come ; and this they shall
do as often as practicable
82 UNITED BRETHREN
SECTION VI.
EECEPTION OF PKEACHERS.
Ques. How are preachers received ?
Ans. Every person proposed as a
preacher shall be examined by the
conference, or a select committee ; and
the following questions shall be put to
him, viz :
1. Have you known God in Christ
Jesus to be a sin-pardoning God?
2. Have you now peace with God;
and is the love of God shed abroad in
your heart by the Holy Spirit?
3. Do you believe the Bible to be
the word of God, and that therein is
contained the only true way to our
salvation ?
4. What foundation have you for
that belief?
5. Do you follow after holiness ?
6. What is your motive for desiring
permission to preach the Gospel ?
DISCIPLINE. 33
7. Do you believe that man, abstract
of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
is fallen from original righteousness,
and is not only entirely destitute of
holiness, but is inclined to evil, and
only evil, and that continually; and
that except -i man be born again he
can not see the kingdom of God?
8. What is your knowledge of re-
demption, of faith, of repentance, jus-
tification, and sanctification ?
9. Does your ov/n salvation, and the
salvation of your fellow mortals, lie
nearer to your heart than all other
things in the world?
10. Will you subject yourself to the
counsel of your brethren ?
11. Are you satisfied with our
Church government?
12. Are you willing, as much as is in
your power, to assist in upholding the
itinerant plan ?
.None can be admitted without hav-
3
34 UNITED BRETHREN
ing a recommendation from the quar-
terly conference, and then only to be
received on probation ; but if confer-
ence should, on examination, find that
his abilities are insufficient to preach
the Gospel, it may refer him back to
the quarterly conference, for further
instruction.
When a preacher or elder is expelled
from one annual conference, he shall
not be received into another, without
the consent of the conference from
which he was expelled.
A preacher removing from one con-
ference to another shall, when he ap-
plies to another for admission, produce
a transfer from the conference to which
he formerly belonged, signed by the
presiding officer, or published in the
minutes of the conference from which
he is transferred.
A preacher or elder who receives a
transfer is required to present said
DISCIPLINE. 35
transfer to another conference, or re-
turn it to the conference by which it
was issued, within eighteen months
after its date. Otherwise the transfer
shall be null and void, and the name
of the preacher shall be published as
no longer connected with the Church
as a minister.
Provided^ preachers taking transfers
to the Pacific coast shall be allowed two
years in which to present their trans-
fers.
. A preacher or elder receiving a
transfer, shall be a member of the
Quarterly Conference, in whose bounds
he may reside, and be accountable also,
;,i to the Annual Conference granting said
transfer for his moral and official con-
duct.
SECTION VII.
PREACHERS' DUTIES.
Ques. What are the duties of preach-
ers?
36 UNITED BRETHREN
Ans. To preach Christ crucified,
whenever they can get hearers ; to form
classes; to converse with the members
on the spiritual condition of their souls ;
to administer relief, to strengthen and
direct those that are afflicted and labor
under temptations ; to animate the in-
dolent ; to endeavor as much as possi-
ble to edify and instruct all in faith, in
grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus
Christ ; to visit the sick on all occa-
sions ; to strive to enforce and confirm
the doctrine they deliver by a well-
ordered and exemplary life.
Ques. What are the directions given
to our preachers ?
Ans. 1. Be diligent. Never trifle
away your time. Always be serious.
Let your motto be, " Holiness unto
THE Lord !" Avoid all lightness and
jesting ; converse sparingly ; conduct
yourself prudently with women ; and
demean yourself in all respects as a
DISCIl'LINE. 37
true Christian. Be at all times averse
to crediting evil reports; believe evil
of no one without good evidence. Put
the best construction on every thing.
2. Speak evil of no one. What-
ever may be your thoughts, keep them
within your own breast until you can
tell the person concerned what you
think wrong in his conduct.
3. Let your business be to save as
many souls as possible. To this em-
ployment give yourself up wholly.
Visit those who need it; and act in
all things, not according to your own
wills, but as sons in the Gospel ; for as
such it becomes your duty to employ
your time in the manner prescribed,
in preaching, and visiting from house
to house; in instruction and. prayer,
and in meditating on the word of God,
With these be occupied until our
Lord Cometh.
No preacher shall arbitrarily form
38 UNITED BRETHREN.
a mission or circuit within the em-
brace of any circuit or presiding eld-
er's district.
SECTION VIII.
GENEEAL CONFERENCE.
Ques. 1. Who are the members of
the General Conference? (/S'ee Con-
stitution.^
Ques. 2. What shall be the number
of delegates to the General Confer-
ence?
Ans. Three from each annual con-
ference district.
Ques. 3. How are they to be elect-
ed?
Ans. 1. It shall be the duty of each
annual conference to appoint a com-
mittee of three to receive and count
the votes, and immediately apprise
those who may have been elected ;
also to furnish each preacher in charge
DISCIPLINE. 39
with a list of the names of all the eld-
ers eligible.
2. The preacher in charge shall fur-
nish each class-leader or steward in
his charge with a copy of the above-
named list, at least ten months before
the sitting of General Conference, and
the election shall be held invariably
within the month of November, next
preceding the sitting of the said con-
ference.
3. It shall be the duty of each class-
leader or steward to appoint a meeting
of the members of his class, for the
purpose of electing, by ballot or other-
wise, their delegates to represent them
in General Conference. Should any be
incapacitated, by affliction or age, to
attend such meetings, they may send
their ballots, containing the names of
the candidates of their choice, and
their own names signed on the back
of their ballots.
40 UNITED BRETHREN
4. It shall be the duty of each
class -leader or steward to sign, inclose,
and seal each 'bill of election, and
keep a correct copy of the same, stat-
ing what class and circuit, and im-
mediately transmit it (prepaid) to the
committee appointed by the annual
conference.
5. Said committee shall make out a
list of all the persons voted for, and
of the number of votes for each. And
should any two or more of the candi-
dates have an equal number of votes,
the committee shall determine, by lot,,
which of them is elected. They shall
also forward, by the first of February,
the names of those elected, to the Con-
ference Printing Establishment for pub-
lication ; and if one or more of those
elected should be prevented, by death,
sickness, or otherwise, from attending,
it shall be the duty of the tellers to
notify the next highest on the bill to
DISCIPLINE. 41
take his place; and so descend, if need
be, to the last candidate. All bills
of election received by the tellers after
the first of February shall not be
'.ounted.
Ques. 4. How shall the expenses
»f the delegates to the General Confer-
ence be defrayed?
Ans. The annual conference next
:>receding the election of delegates to
ihe General Conference shall ascertain
*.he amount of money that will be nec-
'^ssary to defray the expenses of its
delegates to General Conference, and
apportion the same among its different
^elds of labor; and the preacher in
charge shall collect and forward such
imount to the presiding elder of his
district, who shall transmit such
amount to the tellers by the first of
February preceding the General Con-
ference. Should any preacher neg-
lect his duty, he shall be accountable
42 UNITED BRETHREN
therefor to the next annual confer-
ence.
It shall be the duty of the General
Conference to examine the administra-
tion of each annual conference, whether
it has strictly observed the rules and
preserved the moral and doctrinal
principles of the discipline in all its
transactions.
In the election of all officers r<f the
General Conference, a majority of all
the votes shall be necessary to a choice
SECTION IX.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
Qnes. 1. Who are the members of
this conference?
Ans. All the elders and licentiate
preachers who have been duly re-
ceived by the conference.
Ques. 2. In what manner are the
DISCIPLINE. 43
transactions of a conference to be con-
ducted?
Ans. 1. A portion of Scripture shall
be read; also, singing and prayer each
day, at the opening and at the closing
of conference.
2. The conference shall elect two
secretaries — one German and one Eng-
lish, wherever it may be necessary.
one of whom shall immediately, on the
adjournment of the Annual Conference,
transmit to the publishing agent at
Dayton, Ohio, a true transcript of the
footings of the Conference Chart. If
no bishop should be present, it shall
be the duty of the Annual Conference
to elect a bishop pro tern., whose offi-
cial acts shall be valid.
3. The preachers shall be examined
respecting their deportment toward
their fellow-beings, wnether their con-
duct in life be blameless, and whether
they employ as much time as practi-
44 UNITED BllETlillKN
cable to promote the kingdom of God ;
(according to Titus, 1st cliap., 7tli to
9th verse, and 2d Tim,, 2d chap., 15th
verse;) and if found delinquent, shall
be admonished or advised as the case
may require. But should all admoni-
tion or advice fail, then the name of
the delinquent person shall be erased
from the minutes of the conference.
4. Should any member of the an-
nual conference absent himself from
the session of conference three years
in succession, without giving a satis-
factory reason for so doing, his name
may be erased from the minutes of the
conference.
5. No preacher shall be permitted
to electioneer favorably to his own
election to any office or delegation in
the Church ; and should any one be
found doing so, he shall be account-
able to the next annual conference of
which he is a member, to be dealt
DlSCIPLiNK. 45
with according to the judgment of
said conference.
The following questions shall also
be asked:
1. Have any of the preachers died
during the last year?
2. Who are candidates for the min-
istry?
3. Are any to be ordained to the
office of elder?
4. What has been collected for con-
tingent- expenses and the salary of
traveling preachers?
5. What has been done for missions?
6. What has been done for Sabbath-
schools?
7. Has reckoning been made with
the traveling preachers ?
8. Who are the presiding elders?
9. Where are the preachers stationed
this year?
10. Where shall our next confer-
ence be held?
46 UNITED EilETHliExN
11. Is there any thing else to be
done?
12. Is all that has been done en-
tered upon record ?
SECTION X.
ORGANIZATION OF THE ITINERANCY
AND THE MANNER OF SUS-
TAINING IT.
Ques. Who are the itinerants ?
Arts. 1. All who propose themselves
without reserve, after having traveled
two years under the direction of the
stationing committee or presiding elder,
and have been received, by a vote of
two-thirds of the members of confer-
ence, shall be considered itinerants
from year to year, and may be em-
ployed under the direction of the gen-
eral or annual conferences.
2. The bishop and presiding elders
DISCIPLINE. 47
of the past and present years, together
with an equal number of local elders
or preachers, elected by the annual
conference, shall constitute a station-
ing committee, whose duty it shall be
to supply all the circuits, stations, and
missions, as far as practicable, from
the above list :
Provided^ however, that if any of
the preachers thus stationed, or any
who may not receive an appointment,
are dissatisfied, they shall have a right
to appeal to the annual conference, if
two-thirds grant the appeal,* the de-
cision of which shall be final ; and the
report of said stationing committee
shall be read at least six hours before
the adjournment of conference.
*'NoTE. — In case of an appeal from the
decision of the stationing committee, no
preacher stationed by said committee shall
be changed, without his consent, to accom-
modate the preacher asking such appeal.
18 UNITED BRETHREN
3. Should there not be enough itin-
erants to fill all the circuits, stations,
and missions, such vacancies shall be
supplied by the stationing committee
or presiding elders.
Ques. 2. What shall be done to
regulate the annual conferences in the
division of circuits or stations?
Ans. A circuit or station shall not
consist of any specific number of mem-
bers or appointments; but when the
annual conference thinks it able to
support a minister, it may be recog-
nized as such.
If any who are received, as above
stated, shall cease to travel without
giving satisfaction to the conference
of which he is a member, he shall not
be entitled to any support from the
funds belonging to said conference.
And, furthermore, he shall not re-
enter the itinerancy without the con-
sent of at least two-tliivds of the
Discii Liisj<;. 49
conference. Yet supormiraerary nnd
superannuated relations shall be duly
recognized as in accordance with this
section, and may be secured to any
brother having just claims thereto, by
a vote of conference. Should a trav-
eling preacher or elder desire to leave
the work assigned him, he must first
acquaint the presiding elder of his in-
tention, by writing; and should any
one leave or neglect his station, except
it be through sickness or other un-
avoidable circumstances, he shall be
accountable to the next annual confer-
ence.
SECTION XI.
ITINEEANT PREACHERS' DUTIES.
Qiies. What are the duties of a c'
cuit preacher?
Ans. 1. To take the circuit aswsifie^l
him willingly.
2. To attend the appointment on
50 UNITED BRETHREN
his circuit regularly, preach to the
people, and hold society meetiDgs.
3. The preacher in charge is to see
that there are suitable persons elected
in all the classes as leaders and stew-
ards, at the close of the conference
year.
4. To read the following four sec-
tions of our discipline every six months,
in each regular congregation, viz. : The
Confession of Faith, Reception and
Duties of Members ; Ardent Spirits and
Secret Societies.
5. To sit as president on the trial
of members, and see that a correct ac-
count of the same is kept.
6. To render a strict account of the
condition of his circuit to each quar-
terly conference, where he is to be
held accountable for the neglect of
anj regular appointment on his cir-
cuit.
7.\It shall be his duty to use every
DISCIPLINE. 51
laudable effort to circulate our books
and Cburch periodicals, and to use
due diligence to advance the interests
of the Conference Printing Establish-
ment.
8. It shall be his duty to keep a
list of the names of all the subscribers
to our Church periodicals, and the
time of subscribing, at the different
appointments on his circuit, and hand
it over to his successor at the annual
conference, with the list of the appoint-
ments. He shall also report the num-
ber of subscribers to our periodicals on
his field of labor at each Quarterly
Conference; and be examined by the
presiding elder and Quarterly Confer-
ence as to whether he performs his
duty in circulating the periodicals of
the Church among the people of his
charge.
9. No preacher shall dismiss any
appointment from his circuit, without
52 UNITED BRETHREN
the consent of Quarterly Conference.
10. He shall secure a suitable book
for a Church record, in which he shall
register all the appointments and classes
on his circuit, station, or mission, in
their regular order, with the name of
each member attached to his or her
class. He shall also make a record of
all the baptisms, marriages, deaths, and
proceedings of Church trials, with
names of all the parties in each case.
He shall report this record with the
proceedings therein to the last Quar-
terly Conference of each year for
approval or improvement. This book
shall be the property of the Quarterly
Conference, and shall be in addition to
the regular class books.
11. It shall be the duty of preach-
ers in charge of circuits, stations, and
missions, to collect the annual amount
apportioned to their Gelds of labor for
the support of the bishops.
DISCIPLINE. 53
12. He shall hold a general mis-
sionary meeting at some convenient
place on his work. He shall also
preach a missionary sermon, and ap-
point a soliciting committee at every
appointment, whose duty it shall be,
in conjunction with himself, to canvass
the class and community, personally,
to solicit funds for the missionary so-
ciety. He shall also keep a list of the
names of contributors, so far as possible,
and report the same to Conference for
publication with the minutes, or in the
annual report of the Board of Missions,
as the Conference may direct; he shall
also establish monthly mis^sionary
prayer meetings wherever practical in
the Societies of his charge. He shall
be held to a strict account for the faith-
ful performance of these duties.
13. It shall be the duty of all sta-
tioned preachers to visit every family
under their care, at least once every
quarter, and pay strict attention to the
64 UNITED BRETHREN
young members of their charge.
14. It shall be the duty of circuit
preachers to visit as much as possible.
15. It shall he the • duty of all
preachers, whether local or itinerant,
to make use of every laudable effort to
enlarge the borders of our Zion, in
spreading scriptural holiness, and re-
port to their respective annual confer-
.3nce the number of new appointments
obtained.
SECTION XII.
BISHOPS— ELECTION AND DUTIES.
Ques. How are the bishops to be
elected ?
Ans. The General Conference shall
elect them, for the term of four years,
by a majority of the whole number of
votes, to be, at the option of con-
ference, re-elected. The bishops must
DISCIPLINE. 55
be capable of attending the conferences
appbinted them, otherwise they can
not be elected.
Ques. How shall the bishops'
fields of labor be assigned them?
Ans. By the General Conference;
and in the fields thus assigned them
they shall devote their whole time : but
no bishop shall be stationed more than
four consecutive years on the same dis-
trict.
Provided^ however, that they shall
have the privilege of making such tem-
porary interchanges as they may deem
proper.
Ques. How shall their support be
secured?
Ans. 1. Each annual conference shall
apportion its respective part of the
salary of its bishop, annually, to the
several fields of labor in its bounds,
according to the ability thereof.
2. The bishops shall publish an-
56 UNITED BRETHREN
nually, in the columns of the Religious
Telescope, reports of their respective
districts, and also the amount of salary
received from the several annual con-
ferences in their charge.
Q'ues. What are the duties of bish-
ops?
Ans. 1. To preside over the annual
and General Conferences.
2. In conjunction with the presiding
elders of the past and present year,
together with an equal number of local
elders or preachers, they may fix the ap-
pointments of the traveling preachers
for the several circuits, stations, and
missions : Provided, that they do not
allow any itinerant preacher to re-
main on the same station or circuit
more than three consecutive years, un-
* less particular circumstances require it,
and then only with consent of the con-
ference.
3. The bishop, in conjunction with
DISCIPLINE. 57
two elders from each presiding elder
district, shall appoint the presiding el-
ders to their respective districts.
4. It shall be their duty to perform
the rite of ordination at the annual
conferences, and at such other times
and' places as circumstances may re-
quire it, and then only upon such per-
sons as have passed the usual examina-
tion required of candidates for ordina-
tion, by a committee of three elders
chosen for that purpose by one of the
bishops.
5. The bishops shall hold annual
meetings, at which they shall determ-
ine the time of holding the annual
conferences, decide questions of disci-
pline, adopt measures to secure uni-
formity in their administration ; and,
when circumstances demand it, ap-
point fast and thanksgiving seasons,
and counsel upon the general interests
of the Church.
58 UNITED BRETHREN
6. In conjunction with the board
of missions, the bishops shall have
power to organize mission conferences.
7. The bishops shall devote as much
of their time as possibly, consistent
with their other duties, to visiting our
missions in the South and elsewhere,
and exploring new fields.
8. When a bishop fails to perform his
duty, unless through unavoidable cir-
cumstances, he can not be suffered to
retain his office.
9. If our Church should at any
time be destitute of a bishop, a bishop
^ pro iem. shall be elected from among
the elders at each annual conference.
Each bishop pro tern, shall attend the
next succeeding conference, in con-
junction with the bishop pro tern.
there elected, that a regular corre-
spondence be maintained until the en-
suing General Conference.
10. It shall be the duty of the
DISCIPLINE, 59
bishops to see that a suitable sermon
be delivered to the preachers present
at each annual conference.
SECTION XIII. >
ELECTION OF ELDERS
Ques. How is an elder constituted?
Ans. After a probation of three
years, a preacher may be presented to
the annual conference for considera-
tion ; whereupon the bishop shall pro-
pose to conference the following ques-
tions :
Ques. 1. Is he blameless touching
the marriage state ?
2. Is his deportment in the social
circle marked with watchful sobriety ?
3. Is he hospitable toward the
afflicted and needy?
4. Is he faithful in the public min-
istration of God's word, and diligent
60 UNITED BRETHREN
in reading and study?
5. Is his household subject to rules
of piety?
Should the above questions be an-
swered in the affirmative, a committee
of three or five elders shall be ap-
pointed, before whom the candidate
shall appear, and answer to the follow-
ing questions, viz. :
Qnes. 1. Upon what foundation do
you believe the Bible to be the word
of God?
2. How do you prove the fall of
man by transgression ?
3. How do you prove the redemp-
tion of man by Jesus Christ?
4. Do you believ-e in the Godhead
of Jesus Christ ?
5. What foundation have you for
such a belief?
6. Do you believe in the Holy Ghost
as presented in our Confession of
Faith ?
DISCIPLINE. 61
7. Upon what evidence do you be-
lieve this?
8. Do you believe in future, ever-
lasting punishment?
It shall be the privilege of the com-
mittee, in the close, to propose any
question touching the answers given,
wherein their understanding may not
have b'ien distinct. It shall also be
their duty to make out, sign, and de-
liver to conference a report of each
case which may have been before them.
Whereupon, by a majority of the votes
of the elders of conference, said candi-
dates may be elected to ordination.
All ordained elders of other denomina-
tions, who may join our Church as
such, must pass the above examina-
tion ; but they may be exempt from
the laying on of hands. Yet, circum-
stances demanding it, a licentiate may
be presented to conference for ordina-
tion at any time prior to a probation
62 UNITED BRETHREN
of three years, provided two-tliirds of
the elders present vote for the same.
SECTION XIV.
ORDINATIOK OF ELDEES.
I. On the day appointed there shall
be a suitable sermon delivered.
II. After their names have been
read aloud, the bishop or elder shall
read the following articles to all vcHio
may be chosen for ordination :
"An elder must be blameless as the
steward of God, not self-willed, not
soon angry, not given to wine ; no
striker, not given to filthy lucre ; but
a lover of hospitality, a lover of good
men; sober, just, holy, temperate ; hold-
ing fast the faithful word as he hath
been taught, that he may be able, by
sound doctrine, both to exhort and
convince the gainsayers." Titus i, 7-9.
DISCIPLINE. 63
Ques. Do you trust that you are in-
wardly moved by the Holy Ghost to
take upon you the ojffice of the min-
istry, to serve God in the Church of
Christ to the honor and glory of his
holy name ? If so, answer, I trust I am.
Ques. Do you believe the Holy
Scriptures, Old and New Testament?
If so, answer, I do believe them.
Ques. Will you apply due diligence
to frame and fashion your life accord-
ing, to the doctrines of Christ; and to
make yourself, as much as in you
lieth, a wholesome example of the
flock of Christ? If so, answer, I will,
the Lord being my helper.
Ques. Will you obey them to whom
the charge and government over you
is committed, and follow their godly
admonitions with a willing and ready
mind? If so, answer, I will endeavor,
through the grace of God, to do so.
Then prayer is to be offered.
64 UNITED BRETHREN
After prayer, the bishop and elders
shall lay their hands upon the head
of every one of them, and say :
" Take thou authority to execute the
office of an elder in the Church of
God, in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen."
[Hereupon the bishop or elder shall
deliver to every one of them the Holy
Bible, saying :]
" Take thou authority to preach the
Word of God, and administer the or-
dinances in the Church of Christ."
[Then the bishop or elder shall
pray. And after prayer he shall read
from Luke xii, 35-38]: "Let your
loins be girded about, and your lights
burning, and ye yourselves like unto
men that wait for their Lord, when he
shall return from the wedding ; that,
when he cometh and kuocketh, they
may open unto liim immediately.
DISCIPLINE. 65
Blessed are those servants whom the
Lord when he cometh shall find watch-
ing. Verily I say unto you, that he
shall gird himself, and make them sit
down to meat, and will come forth and
serve them. And if he shall come in
the second watch, or come in the third
watch, and find them so, blessed are
those servants." [After this the fol-
lowing benediction is to be pro-
nounced :]
The peace of God keep your hearts
nnd minds in tlie knovjledga of Jesuit
Christ our Lord, Amen.
bECTION XV.
ELDERS' DUTIES.
It is the duty of an elder to ju^each
as often as he can ; to baptize, to ad-
minister the Lord's Supper, solemnize
murriages, to perform all partb of di-
66 UNITED BRETHREN
vine service, to be an example to the
flock of Christ by imitating his moral
example ; and in a very special man-
ner it shall be the duty of an elder to
cherish and encourage young minis-
ters, and always to be looking for those
whom God has called to preach, and
advise them to take up the cross, and
begin the work without delay, that the
labor ot this Gospel harvest may be
faithfully performed.
SECTION XVI.
PRESIDING ELDEES.
Qnes. 3. How shall the presiding eM-
ers be elected ?
A71S. The annual conference shall
elect them by ballot. A majority of
the whole number of votes shall be
necessary to a choice.
Ques. 4. What shall be done for the
support of the presiding elders?
DISCII'LINI!. 67
Ans. It shall be the duty of each
annual conference to make such regu-
lations for the support of the presiding
elders as they in their wisdom may
think best calculated to accomplish the
desired end.
Ques. 3. How shall they be sta-
tioned?
Ans. By the bishop and two elders
from each presiding elder district.
Ques. 4. What are the duties of a
presiding elder?
A71S. 1. To travel through the dis-
trict appointed him, and to preach as
often as is practicable.
2. He shall appoint the quarterly
and camp-meetings, and attend them.
He shall hold quarterly conferences,
and administer the ordiiiaaccs of Grod's
house. He shall inquire whether the
preachers do their duty, and exhort
them to maintain discipline and order,
love and seriousness in the society.
68 L'NITED BRETHREN
3. He may also, in conjunction with
two elders, preachers, exhorters, or
leaders, [one from each circuit,] change
the preachers in his district.
4. Should any district happen to be
without a presiding elder, information
shall be immediately given to a bishop,
who shall appoint an elder to preside
in said district until the ensuing an-
nual conference.
^ SECTION XVII.
QUAKTEELY CONFERENCE.
Ques. 1. Who are the members of
the quarterly conference?
Ans. All the properly recognized
preachers, exhorters, leaders, stewards,
and trustees of meeting and parsonage-
houses, and superintendents of Sab-
bath-schools, (when said trustees and
superintendents are members of the
Church of the United Brethren in
DISCIPLINE. 69
Christ,) who reside witliin the bounds
of the circuit, station or mission.
Ques. 2. What is the business of
the Quarterly Conference ?
Aois. 1. In the absence of the pre-
siding elder, the Quarterly Conference
shall elect a presiding elder pro tern.,
whose official acts shall be valid.
2. To elect a secretary, whose duty
it shall be to keep a correct record of
all their proceedings in a book provided
for that purpose, in which the names of
all the members composing the said
conference shall be entered.
3. To make inquiry into the moral
deportment and official character of all
its members.
4. To receive and try all appeals,
references, and complaints that may
come regularly before it ; but no mem-
ber of quarterly conference can be
suspended or expelled prior to a com-
mittee trial.
70 UNITED BRETHREN
5. To grant license to exhort or
preach to such as may have been rec-
ommended by at least two-thirds of
the class (in each case a recommenda-
tion must be obtained) of which they
may be members ; provided, however,
that none shall receive license who
can not give satisfactory evidence of
their call, experience, soundness in doc-
trine, and attachment to our Church
and government.
6. To make settlement with the
stewards and traveling preachers.
7. To enforce discipline in all the
classes under its jurisdiction ; but in
no case to disorganize a class unless
the preliminary steps have been taken
as required in section 4 of Discipline.
8. To renew the license of exhort-
crs and quarterly conference licensed
preachers, annually, if they be found
worthy, and to arrange a plan for the
local preachers to preach regularly at
cij 6^
DISCIPLINE. 71
stated places, as tlie Quarterly Confer-
ence may direct.
9. After such licentiate preachers
have stood in that capacity one or
more years, the quarterly conference
may recommend them to the annual
conference.
10. All pr£;achers recommended to
the annual conference, and not re-
ceived, may sustain their former rela-
tion.
11. The quarterly conference, at its
last session in each year, shall appoint
an estimating committee for the ensu-
ing year ; which committee shall meet
at the time and place specified by the
preacher appointed to the charge for the
ensuing year, and make out an estimate
of the regular expenses of the circuit,
station, or mission, and apportion the
same among the different appointments
according to their several abilities :
Provided^ however, that it shall be
72 UNITED BRETHREN
the privilege of any class to collect the
amount apportioned to it by subscrip-
tion or otherwise.
Qnes. 3. How are preachers from
other societies received?
Ans. If they come to us with cer-
tificates of good standing in the so-
ciety in which they have had mem-
bership, and give satisfaction to the
quarterly conference on examination
on the doctrine, discipline, govern-
ment, and usages of our Church, then
quarterly conference may license them,
with the understanding that the quar-
terly conference relation continue for
at least one year, (provided, that an
elder coming to us shall be allowed to
perform the functions of an elder dur-
ing his probation,) after which, if
their conduct and doctrine be in ac-
cordance with the Gospel of Christ,
they may be received into the annual
conference as preachers, or elders, as
the case may be.
DISCIPLINE. tli
Ques. 4. What directions are neces-
sary in case of appeals ?
Ans. Aj[\j extorter or preacher, dis-
satisfied with the decision of a quar-
terly conference, shall, within thirty
days after the quarterly conference,
notify the secretary, in writing, of his
intention to appeal, together with his
reasons for so doing ; and it shall be
the duty of the secretary to take or
send a certified copy of the proceed-
ings, the notification and reasons as-
signed, to the annual conference.*
Ques. 5. Where shall our next quar-
terly conference be held?
Ques. 6. Is there any thing more to
be done ?
*NoTE. — In all cases of appeal, whether
to the quarterly, annual, or General Confer-
ence, the course laid down in this section
on appeals is the proper course to be pur-
sued.
74 UNITED BRETHREN
All exhorters and quarterly confer-
ence preachers are required to join
some convenient class ; and, upon neg-
lect or refusal to do so, shall lose their
official relation.
It shall also be the duty of the
quarterly conference to open and close
with prayer.
SECTION XVIII.
OFFICIAL MEETINGS FOR STATIONS.
Ques. 1. Who are the members of
the official meeting?
Ans. 1. All the properly recognized
members of the quarterly conference.
2. The preacher in charge shall be.
the president of the meeting; and in
his absence one of the members shall
be elected president pro tern.
Ques. 2. What is the business of
the official meeting ?
DISCIPLINE. 75
Ans. 1. The president shall call
the meeting to order, and begin and
conclude with prayer.
2. To elect a secretary, who shall
make a record of all the proceedings
of the meeting.
3. To receive a statement from each
class-leader in reference to the pros-
perity of religion in his class.
4. To receive all moneys from the
stewards that have been collected since
the last meeting for the preacher in
charge, or preachers, .and pay over the
same.
5. This body shall meet once a
month, and may meet oftener if cir-
cumstances require.
6. It shall be the duty of the official
meeting to receive all reports of sub-
scriptions, and moneys collected and
disbursed for the interest of the sta-
tion; and all persons intrusted with
subscriptions or moneys shall report
76 UNITED BRETHREN
the same to the meeting as soon as pos-
sible.
7. It shall be the duty of the official
meeting to submit its doings to the
quarterly conference for examination
and approval.
SECTION XIX.
TRIAL OF MEMBEES.
Ques. What shall be done when
members trespass against each other?
Ans. " If thy brother shall trespass
against thee, go and tell him his fault
between him and thee alone ; if he
shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy
brother; but if he will not hear thee,
then take with thee one or two more;
and if he shall neglect to hear them,
tell it unto the Church ; but if he neg-
lect to' hear the Church, let him be
unto thee as a heathen man and a pub-
lican,"
DISCIPLINE. 77
Ques. What shall be done in case
of members accused of trespass or im-
moral conduct?
Ans. The class shall .appoint one or
more to visit the accused brother or
member, and, if possible, reclaim him ;
but if unsuccessful, he or she shall be
tried by the class to which they be-
long, or a select number thereof, cho-
sen by the parties concerned, with the
preacher in charge of the circuit or
station, who shall be chairman; and
if found guilty, the accused shall be
expelled, unless satisfaction be given
by an expression of repentance or
otherwise. Yet cases may happen
where it would be expedient to choose
a committee from any other class or
classes than the one to which the pnr-
ties belong ; also nn elder may be
chosen as chairman, should the preacher
in charge deem it best to do so. But
78 UNITED BRETHREN
should any member be dissatisfied
with the decision, an appeal may be
had to the quarterly conference, by
giving notice thereof to the preacher
in charge. In such case, however, the
same persons shall not sit in }»dgment
on the same case. In cases of neg-
lect of duty of any kind, imprudent
conduct, indulging sinful tempers or
words, or disobedience to the order
and discipline of the Church : First,
let private reproof be given by the
preacher or leader; and if there be
an acknowledgment of the fault and
proper humiliation, the person may be
borne with. On a second ofiense, the
preacher or leader shall take with him
one or two faithful members. On a
third offense, let the case be brought
before the Church or class, or a select
committee ; and if there be no satis-
factory humiliation, the oifonder shall
be expelled.
DISCIPLINE. 79
In case of trial under this clause,
the leader shall act in behalf of the
Church; or if the leader be the offender,
the steward shall act as prosecutor.
Ques. What shall be done in case
of disputes between the members or
preachers ?
Ans. The preacher to whom it shall
be known shall inquire into the cir-
cumstances of the case, and, if neces-
sary, shall recommend to the contend-
ing parties a reference, consisting of
one arbiter, chosen by the plaintiff,
and another by the defendant, and a
third by these two ; then these three
are to decide.
But, if either be dissatisfied with
the decision, such may have a right to
an appeal to the next quarterly confer-
ence for a second arbitration, where
each party shall choose two arbiters,
and the four shall choose a fifth, a de-
cision ot the majority of whom shall
80 UNITED BRETHREN
be final. Any person refusing to
abide by this decision, and every mem-
ber refusing, in case of debt or dis-
pute, to refer the matter to arbitration
when recommended to him by a
preacher or leader; or who shall enter
into a lawsuit with another member
before these measures are taken, shall
be expelled without further process,
and his or her name be erased from
the Church Record by the preacher
in charge, or the class leader, except
when the case is of such a nature as to
req'uire and justify a process at law, as
executors or administrators, or when a
member is in danger of suffering an un-
expected loss of property.
Every class-leader shall keep a rec-
ord of the proceedings of Church trials,
deaths, expulsions, and removals, in a
book provided for that purpose ; and
it shall be Lis duly, in case of an ap-
DISCIPLINE. 81
peal, to send his record to the quar-
terly conference.
SECTION XX.
IMMOEAL CONDUCT OF PREACHERS.
Ques. What shall be done when an
elder or preacher is reported guilty of
immorality ?
Ans. When an elder or preacher in
charged with immoral conduct, the
preacher to whom it is known shall
take with him another preacher, ex-
horter, or leader, and examine into the
charge ; but, as the Apostle saith, (1
Tim., 5th chap., 19th verse) : " Receive
not an accusation against an elder
but before two or three witnesses."
If no one is found willing to prose-
cute the case, it shall be the duty of
the quarterly conference to appoint
one or more persons tado so. Should
6
80,
^ UNITED BRETHREN
it appear lie is justly accused, notice
thereof shall be given him, and a
time and place appointed where the
accuser and accused shall meet. Then
three elders, or one elder and two
preachers, shall try his case, who
are to be appointed by the parties
concerned, each party appointing one,
and the two a third. Should they
be satisfied that the accusation is sus-
tained, then the accused shall hold
his peace until the annual conference,
where he shall be accountable. If
the accused refuse to choose his com-
mittee-man when properly notified, the
quarterly conference shall choose a
second person, and these two a third,
which committee shall try the case
and decide. But if the elder be a
bishop, he shall be tried by the an
nual conference within whose boundi
the cause of accusation occurred.
Should they bs satisfied that the ac-
DISCIPLINE. 83
cusation is sustained, then the accused
shall hold his peace until the annual
conference, where he shall be account-
able. But should sufficient satisfac-
tion be given by an expression of
repentance or otherwise, he may be
retained. But should the accused
preacher, elder, or bishop refuse to at-
tend, after having been notified of the
time and place of trial, he shall be
suspended ; and the committee shall
notify him to appear at the next quar-
terly or annual conference, to answer
to the charges preferred against him ;
and if he fail to attend, (unavoidable
circumstances excepted,) he shall be
suspended or expelled, as the confer-
ence may think proper.
Also, if the accused preacher or
e-lder be a member of the annual con-
ference, the presiding elder of the dis-
trict upon which such accused preacher
or elder lives, or of the adjoining one,
84 UNITED BRETHREN
bhall act as chairman on the trial j if
he be a member of the quarterly con-
ference, the preacher in charge of the
circuit upon which he lives, or the
next nearest, shall sit as chairman in
trying the offense.
SECTION XXI.
PEEACHERS' SALARIES.
1. The annual allowance of a trav-
eling preacher shall be such sum as
may be agreed upon between such
preacher and the Quarterly Confer-
ence of the field of labor to which he
is sent.
If he be a missionary employed by
the Board of Missions, the Board shall
grant such allowance as in its judgment
it shall see proper.
3. It shall be the duty of a circuit
DISCIPLINE. 85
or station, when a preacher is sent to
it by annual conference, to move said
preacher on such circuit or station at
its own expense.
Ques. What shall be done for the
needy, superannuated, or worn-out trav-
eling preachers, and their widows and
orphans ?
Ans. The annual conferences to
which they respectively belong shall
make provision for them.
SECTION XXII.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
We believe that secret societies are
evil in their nature and tendency;
(a secret society is one whose initia-
tory ceremony is a secret ;) and any
member or preacher of our Church
who shall be found connected, in any
way, with such a society, shall be ad-
86 UNITED BRETHREN
monished to sever said connection. If
the offender be a lay member he shall
be so admonished by the preacher in
charge ; if a preacher, or exhorter, by
the presiding elder ; if a presiding elder,
by the bishop ; if a bishop, by the pre-
siding elder of the district in which
such bishop may reside.
If such offending person fail to com-
ply with this admonition within six
months after it is given, he shall be
reported to the class, quarterly, or An-
nual Conference, as the case may be,
and his name be erased from the
record, and he be no longer considered
a member of our Church,
Provided^ that should the accused
deny said connection, the case shall be
tried according to Sections xix and xx
of Discipline.
DISCIPLINE. 87
SECTION XXIII.
SLAVERY.
All slavery, in every sense of the
word, is totally prohibited, and shall
in no way be tolerated in our Church.
Should any be found in our society
who hold slaves, they can not continue
as members unless they do personally
manumit or set free such slaves.
And when it is known to any of our
ministers in charge of a circuit, sta-
tion, or mission, that any of its mem-
bers hold a slave or slaves, he shall
admonish such members to manu-
mit such slave or slaves ; and if such
persons do not take measures to carry
out the discipline, they shall be ex-
pelled by the proper authorities of the
Church; and any minister refusing to
attend to the duties above described,
shall be dealt with by the authorities
to which he is amenable.
88 UNITED BRETHREN
SECTION XXIV.
WAE.
We most positively record our dis-
approval of engaging in voluntary,
national, aggressive warfare ; yet we
recognize the rightful authority of the
civil government, and hold it responsi-
ble for the preservation and defense
of our national compact, against trea-
son, or invasion by any belligerent
force ; and we believe it to be entirely
consistent with the spirit of Christian-
ity to bear arras when called upon to
do so by the properly-constituted au-
thorities of our government, for its
preservation and defense.
1 SECTION XXV.
DOCTRINAL PUBLICATIONS.
No one of our preachers or laymen
DISCIPLINE. 89
shall become tte author of any doc-
trinal book or pamphlet, in a printed
form, in the name of the Church, with-
out the approbation of the annual con-
ference, or of a committee chosen by
the same. And if any preacher or
layman violates this rule, he shall be
accountable to the class, or the quar-
terly or annual conference, as the case
may be.
SECTION XXVI.
OATHS.
We believe that the mode of testify-
ing to the truth when required so to
do in a legal form, by way of affirma-
tion, is on us solemnly, conscientiously,
and fully binding, before God, to tell
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth.
90 UNITED BRETHREN
SECTION XXVII.
ARDENT SPIRITS.
The distilliDg, vending, and use of
ardent spirits as a beverage shall be,
and is hereby forbidden throughout
our society; and should any of our
members or preachers be found guilty
in this respect, they shall be dealt
with as in case of other immoralities ;
provided, however, that this rule shall
not be so construed as to prevent drug-
gists and others from vending or using
it for medicinal or mechanical pur-
poses.
SECTION XXVIII.
NECESSITY OF UNION AMONG
OURSELVES.
Let us be deeply sensible (from
what we have known) of the evil of a
division in principle, spirit or practice,
and of the dreadful consequences to our-
DISCIPLINE. 91
selves and others. If we are united,
what can stand before us ? If we are
divided, we shall injure ourselves, the
work of God, and the souls of our
people.
What can be done in order to a
closer union with each other ?
1. Let us be deeply convinced of
the absolute necessity of it.
2. Pray earnestly for, and speak
truly and freely to each other.
3. When we meet, let us never pari
without prayer, when practicable.
4. Take great care not to despise
each other's gifts.
5. Never speak lightly of each
other.
6. Let us defend each other's char-
acter in every thing, so far as is con-
sistent with truth.
7. Labor in honor, each preferring
another before himself.
8. We recommend a serious exam-
92 UNITED BRETHREN
ination of the causes, evils, and cures
of heart and Church divisions.
SECTION XXIX.
VISITING FEOM HOUSE TO HOUSE, AND
ENFOECING PRACTICAL RELIGION.
Ques. How can we further assist
those under our care?
Ans. By instructing them at their
own houses, which is necessary to pro-
mote confidence and communion with
Grod among us, to wean us from the
love of the world, and to inure us to a
life of heavenly-mindedness; also, to
encourage us to strive after and prac-
tice brotherly love, that no evil think-
ing or judging of one another be found
among us; and lastly, that we may
learn to do as we would wish to be
done by.
2. Every preacher should make it
DISCIPLINE. 93
his duty to instruct the people on every
occasion, both public and private, and
exhort them to be diligent in all good
works and doctrine. Until this be
done, and that in sincerity, we shall,
upon the whole, be of but little use,
and our good shall be evil spoken of;
therefore, wherever we may be, we
should guard against useless and idle
conversation.
Undoubtedly this private applica-
tion of visiting from house to house,
and exhorting the people, is found or
implied in these solemn words of the
apostle :
■' I charge thee, theiefore, before
God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who
shall judge the quick and the dead at
his appearing and his kingdom ; preach
the word; be instant in season, out of
season ; reprove, rebuke, exhort with
all long suffering and doctrine." 2
Tim. 4 : 1,2.
94 UNITED BRETUREN
SECTION XXX.
SABBATH-SCHOOLS.
1. What shall be done to benefit the
rising generation ?
Ans. Let him who is in any way
zealous for God and the souls of men
begin the work immediately. Wher-
ever children are found, speak freely
to them and instruct them diligently ;
exhort them to be good, and pray with
them earnestly, yet simply and plainly,
that they may learn to know their
Creator and Redeemer in the days of
their youth.
2. For the more harmonious and
successful operation of this good work,
we would present the following
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS.
Art. I.
This shall be called the Sabbath-
school Association of the United
Brethren in Christ.
DISCIPLINE. 95
Art. II.
The object of this association shall
be* to promote the cause of Sabbath-
schools in connection with our Church,
and elsewhere, and thus, by our united
efforts, to promote the glory of Grod and
the happiness and final salvation of
mankind.
Art. III.
Sec. I. The officers of the associa-
ton shall consist of three general of-
ficers, viz. : superintendent, treasurer,
and secretary, and six directors, who
together shall constitute a board of
directors ; and shall be elected every
four years by the General Conference.
Sec. II. The general officers shall
constitute a publishing committee, to
whom all books, and manuscript books,
and tracts are to be submitted for ex-
amination and publication.
96 UNITED BRETHREN
Sec. III. The superintendent shall
have the general operations of the as-
sociation under his care; he shall pre-
side at all the meetings of the board of
directors, and in conjunction with the
secretary he may call such meetings at
any time ; and he shall sign all orders
drawn on the treasurer for the use of
the association as appropriated by the
board.
Sec. IV. The treasurer shall take
charge of and hold in trust all the
funds and papers of value belonging to
the association, subject to the direc-
tions of the board of directors and the
order of the superintendent.
Sec. V. The secretary shall keep a
record of the business transactions of
the association, and conduct its corre-
spondence ; he shall publish annual re-
ports of the workings of the associa-
tion, embracing statistics and other
matters of interest, and, at the request
DlSClPLINi!.. y?
of thtt board of directors, lie shall de-
vote his whole time to the business und
interests of the association.
Sec. VI. The board of directors
shall hold annual meeting\s, to deter-
mine the salaries of the general offi-
cers; provide ways and means to carry
into successful operation the plan and
purpose of this association ; and appro-
priate money to defray all necessary
expenses, and they shall fill all vacan-
cies occurring in the offices and direc-
tors of the association.
Art. IV.
Sec. I. The funds coming into the
treasury shall be used as follows : one-
fourth of all such funds shall be set
apart to constitute a publication fund,
and shall only be used to pay for man-
uscript or copyright books and tracts
suitable for Sabbath-schools and their
publieatioo.
7
i>8 UNITED BRETHREN
Sec. II., The balance of such funds
shall be used to conduct the business
of the association, and to assist in or-
ganizing Sabbath -schools in localities
where our Church has not a sufficient
membership to bear the necessary ex-
penses.
Sec. III. When such aid is needed,
those making the application shall or-
ganize a Sabbath-school by electing of-
ficers and adopting the rules and regu-
lations provided by the constitution
and by-laws of this association, and
make known the fact of such action
to the secretary, as well as the kind
and amount of help needed ; and upon
a favorable consideration of the appli-
cation by the general officers, the sec-
retary shall furnish such supplies as
may be considered necessary and ad-
visable ; provided, however, that such
donations shall not be continued where
no Church organization can be effected
within a reasonable time.
DISCII'LINE. 99
Art. V.
Each Conference shall, at some suita-
ble time during its annual sessions, hold
Sabbath -school anniversary meetings
for the purpose of advancing the ob-
ject and interest of the association, and
forward to the general secretary the
minutes of such conference containing
proceedings of the anniversary exer-
cises, etc.
Art. VI.
It shall be the duty of all our
preachers, whether local or traveling,
to exert their influence in favor of this
organization, and to assist in organizing
and sustaining Sabbath-schools wher-
ever it may be practicable ; and those
in charge of a work shall preach on
the subject of Sabbath-schools at least
once a year at each appointment, and
report the following items to the An-
nual Conference: 1. The number of
100 UNITED BRETHREN
schools organized ; 2. The whole num^
ber in his charge ; 3. The number of
scholars enrolled; 4. The number of
teachers appointed ; 5. The amount of
money collected. 1. For the use of
the school. 2. For the general fund.
Art. VII.
Sec. I. The superintendents of Sab-
bath-schools shall be elected annually
by the members of the Church and
members of the S. S., twelve years of
age and over. The Superintendents,
when members of the Church, shall be
members of Quarterly Conference, and
shall be^ responsible to that body for
their moral and official conduct, and
may be dismissed for any delinquency,
and the Quarterly Conference appoint
one to fill the vacancy until another
election can be held.
Sec. 2. The superintendent of a
Sabbath-school shall, in every, case be a
DISCII'jJNE. 101
member of our Church, except in a
case of a mission or other school, where,
if there is no suitable menaber of our
Church, some other competent person
may be elected.
Art. VIII.
Sec. I. Every Sabbath-school in our
Church shall organize a Sabbath-school
missionary association, which shall be
auxiliary to the Sabbath-school Associ-
ation of. the United Brethren in Christ.
Sue. II. Any person paying twenty-
five cents annually shall be considered
a member of the auxiliary association,
such funds to be for the exclusive use
of the general association, to be col-
lected by the superi-ntendent annually
in the month of May, and forwarded to
the general treasurer.
Art. IX:.
In addition to the above constitution
102 UNITED lUlETIIKEN
our Sabbath -schools shall adopt the
following by-laws for their own regu-
lation and government:
BY-LAWS.
Sec. I. Each auxiliary sabbath-
Bchool association shall elect atinually
one secretary and one treasurer, each
to continue in office till his successor is
elected. They, in connection with the
superintendent, shall be the officers of
the association, and of the Sabbath-
school ; the officers may, by the consent
of the school, choose assistants.
Sec. II. The members of the aux-
iliary association may meet at any
time when the interest of the Sabbath-
school shall demand it : to devise plans,
appropriate funds, and supply means
to promote the object of the organiza-
tion, and to fill any vacancies that may
occur in the office of secretary and
treasurer.
DISCIPLINE. 103
Sec. III. All persons whose names
are recorded on the roll-book, and have
become generally attentive, are mem-
bers of the Sabbath-school.
SECTION XXXI
OEDER TO BE OBSERVED IN" BUILDING
MEETING-HOUSES.
Ques. Is any thing advisable in re-
gard to the building of meeting-
houses ?
Ans. Let all our meeting-houses be
built plain and neat, with free seats,
and not move expensive than neces-
sary.
Ques. To whom are our meeting-
houses, and the premises belonging to
them, to be deeded?
Ans. To a board of trustees, and
their successors in office, in trust, as
property of the Church of the United
Brethren in Christ.
104 UNITED BRETHREN
Ques. How is the board of trustees
to be constituted?
Ans. Whenever it is contemplated
bv a Bociety to purchase or build a
meeting-house, it shall be the duty of
a leader or steward of such society to
make it known to the quarterly con-
ference of the circuit or station to
which he belongs, whose duty it shall
be to appoint a judicious board of
trustees, of not less than three in
number, or as the law of the state in
which said house is to be built may
direct ; provided, however, that at least
a majority of such board of trustees
shall be members of our Church. The
trustees shall hold their office during
the pleasure of the quarterly con-
ference.
Ques. How are the trustees to pro-
ceed in building a house?
Ayu. No society shall commence the
building of any meeting-house without
DISCMPLINE. 105
first getting an act of incorporation,
where the law of^the state requires it.
They shall form an estimate of the
am(flint necessary to procure a lot, to
build, and to make such other im-
provements as may be conceived nec-
essary. And they shall at no time
proceed with the building of a house
of worship beyond the means, either
in hand, or sufficiently secured, so as
to aVoid involving our houses of wor-
ship in^ any way in debt ; and also
secure a lawful title for the lot upon
which they intend to build.
The trustees shall hold annual meet-
ings, and keep a fair and regular rec-
ord of the transactions of the board,
in a book provided for that purpose,
tvhich shall at all times be open for
inspection by th« quarterly conference
of said circuit or station.
To take charge of the meeting-
house, property, furniture, premises,
burial-grounds, etc. •
106 ^INITEP BRETHREN
Ques. What shall be done when a
vacancy or vacancies occur in the
board of trustees?
Ans. It shall be the duty of ^he
quarterly conference to appoint a suit-
able person or persons to fill such
vacancies.
Ques. What shall be done when any
of our houses are vacant ?
Ans. It shall be the duty of the
quarterly conference of the nearest cir-
cuit or station to appoint npt lesa
than three suitable persons for trus-
tees, who shall have the power, when
authorized by two-thirds of the mem-
bers of that conference, to lease, rent,
or sell such meeting-house, and the
appurtenances belonging to it; and to
appropriate the money arising from
such lease, rent, or sale, by the direc-
tion of said conference, toward the
erection of new meeting-houses, or the
liquidation of debts on old ones. If
DTSCiPLlNE. 107
the vacated house be a parsonage, its
proceeds shall be applied to a like
purpose. When a lot is deeded to an
English United Brethren Society, or to
a German United Brethren society, and
one or the other party cease to exist in
an organized form by deaths, removals,
expulsions or otherwise, the remaining
organized class shall have full right to
make such improvements or repairs on
said lot, as may be needed for worship,
and a peaceable possession.
The above rules to be observed in
purchasing or building parsonage-
chouses.
It shall be the duty of our presid-
ing elders, as soon as .convenient, to
appoint, or see that three or five suit-
able persons are appointed, with the
consent of the quarterly conference, to
take up subscriptions to build or pur-
chase parsonage-houses for their re-
spective stations or circuits, the same
108 UNITED BRETHREN
to be deeded to tliose three or five
trustees, and their successors in office,
for the use of the Church of the United
Brethren in Christ. We command that
all our parsonage-houses be plain, and
located in some central place.
Note. — The trustees should be careful in
all cases to have deeds of conveyance le-
gally executed, and recorded in the county
records where the property is; that is, to
have the deed made to them and their suc-
cessors in office, in trust, for tlic Church
of the United Brethren in Christ; and to
erect and build, or cause to be built, a
liouse of worship for the niembers of said
Church.
DISCIPLINE. 1.09
SECTION xxxri.
t
SINGING.
We believe it to be the duty of all
the people of God to sing his praises;
and to sine; them in the sfreat consfre-
gation as well as in the private circle.
We therefore earnestly recommend to
all our people the cultivation of vocal
music, so that the siuging in our con-
gregations may be improved. As a
help to this end we advise all our
people to provide themselves with
Hymn Books fur use iu times of pub-
lic aud social worship.
We would counsel our societies to
avoid the introduction of choirs ;nid
iu«trunieutal music into their worship.
llO UNITED BRETliKEN
SECTION XXXIII.
t
CONSTITUTION OF THE MISSION AEY
SOCIETY.
I. This society shall be called the
'■'•Home, Frontier^ and Foreign Mis-
sionary Society of the United Brethren
in Christ," and is organized for the
purpose of aiding the annual confer-
ences in extending their missionary la-
bors throughout the country, and into
foreign and heathen lands.
II. The payment of ten dollars at
one time shall constitute a life mem-
ber, or fifty dollars at one time a life
director. No certificate of life-mem-
bership or life -directorship shall be
granted until the full amount is paid.
III. The officers of this society
shall consist of a President, three
Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer,
and six Directors, who, together, shall
DISCIPLINE. Ill
constitute a Board of Directors ; and
shall be elected every four years by
the General Conference.
IV. The president shall preside at
all meetings of the board, and shall
have power, in conjunction with the
secretary, to call special meetings. In
the absence of the president, one of
the vice-presidents shall fill his place.
V. The secretary shall keep a cor-
rect record of all the proceedings of
the society, conduct its correspond-
ence, and devote nimself exclusively
to the interests of the society. He
shall keep a record of all the life mem-
bers, life directors, legacies, etc., etc.
He shall also make out, and publish,
under the direction of the board, an
annual report of the whole missionary
work; also a quadrennial report to the
General Conference. His salary shall
be determined by the board, according
to the Discipline.
112 UNITED BRETHREN
VI. The treasurer shall hold the
funds of the society, subject to the
order of the board, and, at the discre-
tion of the boar^, devote himself ex-
clusively to the interests of the Mis-
sionary Society.
VII., The board of directors shall
hold annual meetings ; have power to
appoint an executive committee, con-
sisting of five members ; make by-
laws to regulate its own business ; ap-
propriate money ta defray incidental
expenses ; employ missionaries and
agents ; open new missions ; employ
laborers for mission conferences ; dis-
solve mission conferences ; fill vacancies
in its own body ; in connection with the
bishops, or any one of them, ordain min-
isters to the ofiice of elder ; and publish,
at our own press, such matter as the
eause may from time to time demand.
VIII. Each missionary in the em-
ploy of the board shall report quar-
DISCIPLINE. 113
txirly to (he secretary the condition of
his mission ; and no missionary shall
be entitled to his salary who shall neg-
lect to comply with this requirement.
The presiding elders of mission con-
ferences shall report quarterly the con-
dition of their respective works.
IX. Each conference shall be con-
sidered a branch of this society, and
shall elect a treasurer and secretary.
1. The b]-anch treasurer shall hold
the funds designed for the board, sub-
ject to its order. 2. The branch sec-
retary shall keep a record of the pro-
ceedings of the annual coni'erence in
relation to Uonie, i'rontier, and foreign
missions, separately, and report the
same immediately after the session of
the Conference to the secretary of the
board.
He shall report the number of mis-
sions; appointments; Sabbath-schools,
scholars and teachers ; what paid on
8
114 UNITED BRETHREN
missions as salary ; what collected for
missions on missions; what collected
for missions in the whole Conference;
how much paid the parent board, and
how much paid to home missions ; and
the names and post-office address of life
directors and life members.
The branch secretaries shall be re-
sponsible to their respective annual
conferences for the faithful discharge
of their duties.
Each of our Sabbath-schools is here-
by constituted an auxiliary to the
branch society within whose limits it
is located ; and the superintendent,
secretary, and treasurer of the Sab-
bath-school shall be president, secre-
tary, and treasurer of the said aux-
iliary, and shall report annually,
through the preacher in charge, to
the branch society.
Said preacher is to notify the above-
named officers, at the close of each Con-
, DISCIPLINE. 115
ference year, that such report is due,
and, if need be, assist in its preparation.
Any person may become a life mem-
ber of the auxiliary by the payment of
three dollars, and shall be entitled to
a certificate of life membership.
X. The branch societies, or indi-
vidual members, may specify to what
particular portion of the work their
funds shall be applied ; provided, how-
ever, that if more is thus designated
than is necessary for the work speci-
fied, it may be applied to some othe?
work, as the board shall determine.
XI. Each branch society shall have
the exclusive management of the home
missions within it own limits.
XII. Treasurers of the parent board
and of the branch societies shall give
approved security.
XIII. All bequests or donations,
the interest of which is to go to mis-
sionary purposes, made to any of the
116 UNITED BRETHREN
above societies, shall be kept sacred.
Form of Bequest. — I give and be-
queath to the Home, Frontier, and
Foreign Missionary Society of the
United Brethren in Christ, organized
by the General Conference of said
Church, May 20. 1853, and incor-
porated in Butler County, Ohio, Sep-
tember 23, 1851, the sum of dol-
lars; and the receipt of tlio treasurer
of the society shall ho a>ufficient dis-
charge tliereof to my executors and
administrators.
•
SECTION XXXIV.
CHURCH ERECTION SOCIETY.
I. This society shall be known as
The Church Erection Society of the
Church of the United Brethren in Christy
aud is organized for the purpose^ of
aiding feeble societies in the erection
of houses of worship.
II. The board of missions and the
DISCIPLINE. 117
bishops shall constitute the board of
managers of this society, and shall be
governed by the constitution and by-
laws of the missionary society so far as
they are applicable to this society.
III. It shall be the duty of
preachers in charge of fields of labor
throughout the Church to solicit dona-
tions annually to the fund of this so-
ciety, and pay them over to their re-
spective Annual Conferences, who shall
transmit them through the branch mis-
sionary treasurer to the treasurer of the
parent board at Dayton, Ohio.
It shall be the duty of the bishops
to superintend this interest in their re-
spective districts, and enlist the confer-
ences in its behalf.
IV. The treasurer of the parent
Bo:ird of Missions shall receipt to the
branch missionary treasurers for all
monies sent him, that they may make
settlement with their respective annual
conferences.
118 UNITED BRETHREN
V. Application for aid from tJiis so-
ciety must be made to tlie board of man-
agers, through the presiding elder or
preacher in charge, who shall state in
writing the condition of the society, if
any exists, desiring such aid, the pros-
pects of success, and the security of the
investment.
VI. Should any society thus aided
lose its organization, so as to make the
sale of such house necessary, then, out
of the proceeds of such sale, the amount
loaned them, with interest, shall be re-
funded to the parent board.
VII. The board shall make no ap-
propriations where there is reasonable
prospect that the society asking aid-
can succeed without it ; also, where
there is no prospect of building a good
society. ,
VIII. All aid rendered shall be only
as a loan, the principal to be refunded,
without interest, at such times as the
board may direct
DISCIPLINE. 119
SECTION XXXIV.
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF OUR
PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT, IN
DAYTON, OHIO.
Rule 1. The above establishmeat
shall be called " The Printing Estab-
lishment of the United Brethren in
Christ."
Rule 2. The legislative authority
herein granted shall be vested in the
General Conference of said Church,
whose duty it shall be to elect the
necessary officers not otherwise pro-
vided for, and make or amend any
rules as in their judgment may seem
expedient.
Rule 3. The proceeds of said estab-
lishment, over and above contingent
expen'ses, shall be applied to the benefit
of traveling and worn-out preachers,
and their widows and orphans ; this
division to occur equally and annually
120 UNITED BRETHREN
among the different annual confer-
ences.
Kule 4. A board of five trustees,
elected by tbe General Conference,
shall take the oversight of the estab-
lishment.
Rule 5. The oHicers of the establish
ment shall consist of one agent and
treasurer, and such number of editors
as the General Conference shall deem
necessary.
Rule 6. It shall be the duty of the
trustees to make settlement with the
officers ol" the establishment every six
months, and see that they properly dis-
charge their duties, and, if found dere-
lict, may yuspcml thein from office until
the ensuing General Conference; pro-
vided, no such officers shall be sus-
pended until they have been furnished
with a copy of the complaints in writ-
ing, and have had an opportunity of
defense before the board of trustees.
DISCIPLINE. 121
The trustees shall, as book commit-
tee, examine, purchase, and publish or
republish books, pamphlets, and tracts.
They 'shall also' have the privilege of
making any by-laws which may seem
expedient for the better regulation of
the minor concerns of the office ; pro-
vided they do not violate any part of
the foregoing rules.
Rule 7. It shall be the duty of the
agent to take charge of the temporal
concerns of the office, furnish such
material as may be needed, and to act
as the general book agent under the
direction of the board of trustees. He
'shall prepare and publish a report an-
nually, through the Religious Tclescojye
and Joyful Messenger^ and shall also
make a report to the General Confer-
ence.
Rule 8. It shall be the duty of the
treasurer to keep the book^; jjcrtnining
to the office, and hold all the funds
122 UNITED BRETHREN
thereof, subject to the order of the
agent.
Rule 9. Should a vacancy occur in
any of the offices of the establishment,
or in the board of trustees, the trustees
may fill said vacancy until the sit-
ting of the next General Conference.
Rule 10. No editor or officer em-
ployed in the establishment shall accept
any office or engage in any business
which will interfere with the duties of
his office.
SECTION XXXV.
MAREIAGE CEREMONY.
ADDRESS.
We are gathered together in the
sight of God, and in the presence of
these witnesses, to join together N.
and M. as husband and wife. If any
person present knows any just cause
DISCIPLINE. 123
or impediment why these persons
should not be joined in marriage, let
the same now speal^, or forever after
keep silent.
[If no impediment be alleged, then
shall the minister say unto the man :]
" N., wilt thou have this woman to
be thy wedded wife, to live together
atlcr God's ordinance ? Wilt thou
love, honor, and comfort her, in sick-
ness and in health, in prosperity and
adversity, and forsaking all others,
keep thee only unto her so long as ye
both shall live ? If so, then answer,
' I will' "
[Then shall the minister say to tho
woman:]
$" M., wilt thou have this man to bo
thy wedded husband, to live together
after God's ordinance? Wilt thou
love, honor, and obey him, in sickness
and in health, in prosperity and ad-
versity, and forsaking all others, keep
124 UNITED BRETHREN
thee only unto him so long as ye
both shall live ? If so, then answer,
'I will.'"
[Then the minister shall require
them to join their right- hands, and
say :]
" Those whom God hath joined to-
gether, let no man put asunder.
" Inasmuch as N. and M. have con-
sented together in marriage, and have
witnessed the same before God and
these witnesses, I pronounce them
husband and wife, in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost. Amen."
Ques. Who of our ministers are per-
mitted to solemnize marriage ?
Arts. All ordained ministers, OTid
also those that feave obtained license
from an annual conference, where the
law of the state makes it the privilege
of every regularly licensed minister to
solemnize marriage ; but none are per-
DISCIPLINE. 125
mitted to solemnize marriage with
quarterly conference license,
SECTION XXXVI.
BUPJAl. OF THE DEAD.
After the coffin is lowered into the
grave, the ministtir, if the deceased is
a child or an udult Christian, may say:
"Man that is born of woman is of
few days and full of trouble. He
Cometh forth like a flower, and is cut
down ; he tieeth also as a shadow, and
continueth not."
In the midst of life we are in death.
Unto whom should we seek for succor
but unto Thee, 0 Lord ! who for our
sins art justly displeased? Our hope
is in Thee ; for Thou hast said : '• I
am the resurrection and the lii'e ; he
that believeth in me, though he were
dead, yet shall he live ; and whuso-
126 UNITED BEETIIREN
ever liveth and believeth in me shall
never die."
Inasmucli as God, in his providence,
has called out of time into eternity the
soul of our (brother, sister, or child),
we now commit his (or Jier) body to
the ground — earth to earth, ashes to
ashes, dust to dust — in the confident
hope that Christ will raise this body
in the great day, and reunite it with
the soul, and receive it to himself.
A.men.
SECTION XXXVII.
COURSE OF READING AND STUDY
For licentiate preachers, upon which
they are to be examined by the annual
conference to which they belong. They
shall be examined, also, each year of
their probation, on the doctrine and
government of the Church, as taught
DISCIPLINE. 127
in our book of Discipline. It is pre-
sumed that a fair knowledge of the
ordinary branches of an English or
German education has been acquired
before entering upon this course. If
the licentiate does not possess such
knowledge, he shall be examined, in
each year, on grammar and geog-
raphy.
FIRST YEAR — BIBLE DOCTRINE.
Human Depravity ; The Atonement;
Redemption; Repentance; Justification
by Faith ; Regeneration ; Adoption ;
Witness of the Spirit; Christian Per-
fection ; Possibility of Final Apostasy.
Books Required. — Bible; Watson's
Institutes ; Preacher's Manual, by Stur^
tevant, to Lecture XVI ; Ripley's Sa-
cred Rhetoric ; Fletcher's Appeal ; His-
tory of the United Brethren in Christ ;
an Essay or written Sermon.
Books Recommended. — Bridge's
128 UNITED BRETHREN
Christian Ministry ; Upham's Life of
Faith ; Philosophy of the Plan of Sal-
vation ; Whateley's Rhetoric ; Shedd's
Christian Doctrine.
SECOND YEAR — BIBLE DOCTRINE.
Existence and Attributes of God ;
Trinity ; Divinity and Humanity of
Christ; Personality and Deity of the
Holy Ghost ; Immortality of the Soul ;
Kesurrection of the Body; Future
General Judgment ; Eternal Rewards
and Punishments.
Bouks Required. — Bible; Watson's
Institutes, continued; Preacher's Man-
ual, by Stuvtevanr, from Lecture XVI
to the end; Musheim's Church His-
tory to the ileformatiou ; Alexander's
Evidences of Christianity; Waylands
Moral Science, written Sermon.
J3ooks Recommended. — Upham's In-
terior Life ; Neander's Planting and
Training of the Christian Church,
DISCIPLINE. 129
(Robinson's translation) ; Jahu's Ar-
chaeology; Haven's Mental Pliilos-
opliy; Weber's Universal History;
Shedd's Homiletics.
THIRD YEAR — BIBLE INSTITUTIONS.
The Christian Sabbath ; the Lord's
Supper; Christian Baptism.
Books Required. — Bible ; Mosheim's
Church History, from the Reforma-
tion to the close ; Coleman's Geo-
graphical History of the Bible ; But-
ler's Analogy ; McClelland's Canon
and Interpretation of Scripture ; Whate-
ly's Logic, written Sermon.
Books Recommended. — Viuet's Hom-
iletics; D'Aubigne's History of the
Reformation; Josephus' Antiquities of
the Jews ; Hackett's Illustrations of
Scripture ; Upham's Divine Union ; Gril-
fillan on the Sabbath.
Any licentiate who fails to read the
books required, and to submit to the
130 UNITED BRETHREN
examination, shall, at tlie close of the
third year of his probation at farthest,
be erased from the annual conference
record, unless a reasonable excuse can
be given for such failure.
No candidate for the ministry shall
receive ordination until he has com-
pleted his course of study, except in
extraordinary cases, such as mission-
aries, and persons who have otherwise
received a fair theological training.
GERMAN COURSE OF READING.
1st Year. Bible, Discipline, History
of the United Brethren Church, Clark's
Hand-book, Fletcher's Appeal, Nelson
on Infidelity, Herr on Justification,
Heyse's German Grammar, written Ser-
mon.
2d Year. Bible, Church History, Dis-
cipline, and Grammar continued. Buck's
Theological Dictionary, D'Aubigne's
DISCIPLINE. 131
ReformatioD, Zellers ou the Soul,
Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation,
Essay.
3d Year. Bible, Discipline, and
Grammar continued, Lisco's Apostolic
Creed, Preface to Nast's Commentary,
Nast on the (lod-Man Christ, Erdman's
first Christian Church.
SECTION XXXIX.
CHARTERS.
Whereas, the laws of certain states
require churches and institutions to
be incorporated, in order to be recog-
nized by law :
Therefore, in such cases, the quar-
terly conference of the respective cir-
cuits, stations, and missions shall ap-
point a competent committee, consist-
ing of three, who shall apply to the
proper source for an act of incorpora-
tion on all the Church property within
132 UNITED BRETHREN
the bounds of such circuits, stationa,
or missions ; and at the last quarterly
conference of each year, the presiding
elder shall examine said committee in
reference to the above subject.
2. When legacies are bequeathed to
the Church, the names of the presiding
bishops should be inserted in the will
of the testator, to be under the con-
trol of said bishops and their success-
ors in oflfice, to be appropriated to the
purpose specified by the donors.
SECTION XL.
CERTIFICATES.
When members of our society move
from one place or class to another,
they shall obtain a certificate, by the
vote of a majority of the class to
which they belong, signed by a preach-
er, or leader; except where they are
not in reach of a class, in which case
mSCTPLINE.
135
any of our preacbers may give a cer-
tificate to such persons, if they are
known to be in ^ood standing.
FORM OF CERTIFICATE.
This to certify that A. B. is a mem-
ber of good standing in the Church
of the United Brethren in Christ, at
, and is hereby recommended to
the confidence and fellowship of Chris-
tians every-where.
[Dates, etc.]
FORM OF TRANSFER.
This is to certify that is a
regular or in the Church
pf the United Brethren in Christ, of
Annual Conference ; and is
hereby transferred to Annual
Conference of said Church.
'lo4 UNITED BRETHRfcN '
SECTION XLI.
BOUNDARIES OF CONFERENCES.
Virginia Conference. — Beginning at
the south-east corner of the state of
Virginia; thence along the western
shore of the Chesapeake Bay to Balti-
more ; thence to Westminster ; thence
to the summit of the South Mountain,
on the state line between Maryland
and Pennsylvania ; thence west on
said line to the summit of the Alle-
ghany Mountain ; thence south, along
the summit of said mountain, to the
state line between Virginia and North
Carolina ; thence east on said line to
the place of beginning.
East Pennsylvania Conference. — -Be-
ginning at the point where the line
between Pennsylvania and Maryland
crosses the Suscjuehannah river; thence
to the south-east corner of Snyder coun-
DISCIPLINE. 135
ty ; theuce along the soutli line of said
county across Shade Mountain, to the
south-west corner of Snyder county ;
thence north-west along the line of
Snyner and Mifflin counties to the
south-east corner of Center county;
thence along the line of Center and
Union counties to the north-west cor-
ner of Union county; thence north-
east, along the lines of Clinton and
Union counties, across the West
Branch ; thence along the West Branch
to the north-west corner of Northum-
berland county ; thence north-west to
the south-west corner of Bradford
county ; thence 4ue north to the New
York state line, embracing all that
part of the state of Pennsylvania east
of the above line.
Pennsylvania Conference. — Begin-
ning on the summit of the South
Mountain, on the line between Mary-
land and Pennsylvania; thence to
136 UNITED BRETHREN
Westminster, Maryland ; thence to
Baltimore, including that city ; thence
along the Chesapeake Bay and Sus-
quehannah river to the Juniata river ;
thence up said river to its source ;
thence south, so as not to interfere
with any territory occupied by the
Alleghany Conference, to the line be-
tween Maryland and Pennsylvania ;
yhence east to the place of beginning.
Alleghany Conference. — Beginning
at the south-west corner of Mercer
county, Penn. ; thence east to a point
due south of the south-east corner of
Cattaraugus county, N. Y. ; thence
north to the line between Pennsylva-
nia and New York ; thence east to
the line of the East Pennsylvania
Conference ; thence along the line of
said conference to the mouth of the
Juniata river; thence up said river
to its source ; thence along the line
of the Pennsylvania Conference to the
DTSCTPLINE. 1B7
Maryland and Pennsylvania state line,
enibraeino; all that part of the state of
Pennsylvania south and west of the
above-described lines.
Erie Conference. — Beginning on the
shore of Lake Erie, on the west side
of Erie City ; thence along the old
pike to Meadville ; thence down
French creek to the Alleghany river ;
thence down said river to the line of
the Alleghany Conference ; embracing
all that part of Pennsylvania east of
the above line, (not included in the
Alleghany Conference), and the state
of New York.
Wes tern Reserve Confer en ce. — B e -
ginnine: on the lake shore on the
west side of Erie 'City; thence along
the west line of the Erie Conference
to Lawrenceburg, on the Alleghany
river ; thence west to the Ohio state
line at the south-west corner of Mercer
county, Penn. ; thence along the state
138 UNITED BRETHREN
line south, to tlie Pennsylvania and
Ohio Kailroad ; thence west, embrac-
ing Pleasant Valley, Paradise, and
Can- appointments, with said railroad,
to the west line of Ashland county,
Ohio ; thence north to the mouth of
Vermilion river ; thence east alon^
the shore of Lake Erie to the place
of beginning.
' MuRhingum, Conference. — Beginning
at a point where the Pennsylvania
and Ohio Railroad crosses the line
between Pennsylvania and Ohio ;
thence west on the line of said rail-
road 'io the west line of Ashland
county, Ohio, embracing Warner's
Chapel, Benjamin Warner's, and Low-
er's appointments ; thence south to th^
north line of Knox county; thence
west to the north-west corner of said
county ; thence south to the south-
west corner of Knox county ; thence
east along the lines of Knox and Co-
DISCIPLINE. 139
shocton counties, to Dresden ; thence
down the Muskingum river to its
raouth ; thence up the Ohio river and
Ohio state line to the place of begin-
ning.
t^cioto Conference. — Beginning at
Dresden, on the Muskingum river ,
thence west on the south lines of Co-
shocton and Knox counties to the
south-west corner of Knox county ;
thence to the north-west corner of
Trenton township, Delaware county ;
thence to the south-east corner of Ge-
noa township, of the same county ;
thence west on the Delaware county
line to the Whetstone river ; thence to
the north-west corner of Madison
county ; thence south, embracing Fay-
ette, Highland, and a part of Brown
county, to Ripley, on the Ohio river ;
thence up said river to the mouth of
Muskingum river ; thence up said river
to Dresden, the place of beginning.
140 UNITED Brethren
Sandusky Conference. — Beginning at
fche mouth of the Vermilion river, on
Lake Erie ; thence on an air-line south,
to the south-west corner of Ashland
county ; thence with the north and
west lines of Knox county, to the
Bouth-west corner of said county j
thence to the north-west corner of
Trenton township, Delaware county ;
thence to the south-east corner of
Genoa township, of the same county;
thence west on the Scioto Conference
line, embracing Pleasant Valley, in
Madison county ; thence along the east
and north lines of Union county, to
the South-east corner of Hardin coun-
ty, thence along the east line of said
county to Forest ; thence with the San-
dusky, Dayton, and Cincinnati Railroad
to Forest ; thence west on the Pittsburg
and Ft. Wayne Railroad to Johnstown ;
thence to Cairo ; thence to Kalida ;
thence to Defiance; thence down the
DISCIPLINE. 14]
Maumee river and the southern shore
of Lake Erie to the place of begin-
ning.
Auglaize Conference. — Beginning on
the Ohio and Indiana state line, at a
point due west of Greenville, Ohio ;
fchence north to the Bellefontaine
Kailroad ; thence with said road to
Winchester ; thence on a straight line
to the south-east corner of Hunting-
ton county ; thence on the east line
of said county north to Wabash river ;
thence with said river to the crossing
of the Wabash Valley Railroad ; thence
with said railroad to Defiance ; thence
along the Sandusky Conference line as
described above, including Johnstown,
North Washington, and Dunkirk, to a
point on the west line of Madison
county, Ohio, due east of Urbana ;
thence to Piqua, including that city ;
thence to Grreenville ; thence to the
place of beginning.
14L' UNITED BRETHREN
By special agreement, the Aui;laize
and White River Conferences will oc-
cupy the preaching places previously
occupied by them on either side of the
line, but shall not be permitted to
take up any new appointments not in-
cluded by the line.
Miami Conference. — Beginning at
the mouth of the Great Miami river ;
thence north, on t,he line between Ohio
and Indiana, to a point due west of
Greenville, Ohio ; thence east with the
Auglaize Conference line, including
Greenville and Urbana, to a point on
the Madison county line due east of
Urbana ; thence south on the east
lines of the counties of Clark, Green,
Clinton, and a part of Brown county,
to Ripley ; thence down the Ohio river
to the place of beginning.
North Ohio Conference. — Beginning
at the mouth of the Maumee river ;
thence up said river to Ft. Wayne;
DISCIPLINE. 143
thenee on the Ft. Wayne and Chicago
Railroad to Columbia, Whitely county ;
thence due north to the line of Noble
county; thence east to the south-east
corner of said county ; thence north
on the east line of Noble and Lagrange
counties, to the Michigan state line ;
thence west on said line to White Pig-
eon ; thence east along the Michigan
Southern Railroad to Monroe on Lake
Erie ; thence south along the western
shore of said lake to the place of be-
ginning.
MlcJilgan Conference embraces all
that part of the State of Michigan
lying north of the Michigan Southern
and Northern Indiana Railroad, except
that portion included in the St. Joseph
Conference.
St. Joseph Conference. — Beginning at
Peru, Tnd., on the Wabash river ;
thence up said river to Huntington ;
thence by the Auglaize Conference line
144 UNITED BRETHREN
to Ft. Wayne ; thence by the Michigan
Conference line, as before described, to
Lake Michigan ; thence along the lake
shore to the line of Illinois and In-
diana ; thence south to Beaver Lake *
thence to the mouth of Big Monon
Creek ; thence down the Tippecanoo
river to the Wabash, to Lafayette, in-
cluding Lafayette ; thence along tht
Strawtown road, including the town of
Jefferson, to the Indianapolis and Peru
Kailroad ; thence along said railroad
to the place of beginning, including
all the towns and churches north ot
Kokomo.
White River Conference. — Beginning
at and including Indianapolis and sub-
urbs ; thence up White river' to the
crossing of the Indianapolis and Peru
Railroad ; thence along said railroad
to the Wabash river ; thence up said
river to the Wells county line ; thence
south to the south-east corner of Hun-
DISCIPLINE. 145
tington county ; thence on a straight
line to Winchester ; thence eastward
along the railroad to the Ohio and
Indiana state line ; thence south along
the state line to the south-east corner
of Franklifi county, Ind. ; thence west-
ward to Greensburg ; thence to Co-
lumbus ; thence to Nashville ; thence
west to White river ; thence up the
river to the south line of Marion
county ; thence west to the south-west
corner of said county ; thence north to
the north-west corner of the same
county ; thence east on the north line
to the Peru and Indianapolis Railway.
Kokomo, and all the towns and churches
on and in the vicinity of the Indian-
apolis and Peru Railroad, south, are
within the bounds of White River Con-
ference. All the towns and churches
north of Kokomo, on and in the vicin-
ity of said railroad, are within the
bounds of the St. Joseph Conference.
10
146 UNITED BRETHREN
Indiana Conference. — Beginning at
the south-east corner of Franklin
county, Ind. ; thence along the line of
the White River Conference, as de-
scribed in the boundaries of that con-
ference, to the White river due west
of Franklin, Ind. ; thence down said
river, and the Wabash, to the Ohio
river ; thence up said river to the
mouth of the Great Miami river ;
thence up the state line between Ohio
and Indiana to the place of beginning.
Parhershurg Conference. — Beginning
on the summit of the Alleghany Mount-
ain, at the line between Pennsylvania
and Virginia ; thence along the sum-
mit of said mountain south-west to
the line between Virginia and North
Carolina; thence west on said line to
the south-west corner of the state of
Virginia ; thence with the Virginia
and Kentucky line north to the Ohio
river ; thence with said river to the
DISCIPLINE. 147
Pennsylvania state line ; thence east
on said line to the place of beginning.
Lower WahasTi Conference. — Begin-
ning at Gosport, on White river ;
thence with the railroad to Green-
castle ; thence with the Indianapolis
and Terre Haute Railroad to the Wa-
bash river ; thence up said river to
the mouth of Brulett's Creek ; thence
up said creek to Cherry Point ; thence
west OH the Air-line Railroad to the
Ellinois Conference line ; thence to
Shelbyville, Illinois; thence down the
Okaw river to Vandalia ; thence south
with the Illinois Central Railroad, to
its junction with the Ohio and Mis-
sissippi Railroad ; thence by the Skillet
Fork and Little Wabash rivers to
Carmi; thence down the Little Wa-
bash river to its mouth ; thence up
the Wabash and White rivers to the
place of beginning.
Upper Wabash Conference. — Bc^in-
148 UNITED BRETHREN
ning at Gosport, on White river, to
the crossing of the Indianapolis and
Peru Railroad ; thence on the Straw-
town road to Lafayette, on tht Wabash
river ; thence up said river to the
mouth of Tippecanoe river ; thence
up said river to the mouth of Big
Monon creek ; thence in a north-west-
ern direction to the north extremity
of Beaver Lake; thence to Kankakee
City ; thence south along the Chicago
Branch of the Illinois Central Railroad
to Urbana; thence south-west, in the
direction of Shelbyville, to the crossing
of the Air-line Railroad; thence east
on said road to Cherry Point ; thence
along the line of the Lower Wabash
Conference to the place of beginning.
Illinois Conference. — Beginning at
the junction of the Mississippi and
Rock rivers; thence up the latter
stream to the crossing of the Rock
Island and Peru Railroad; thence east
.DISCIPLINE, 149
with said railroad to Peru; thence
down the IllinoLs river to its mouth ;
thence up the Mississippi to the place
of beginning.
Central Illiifhois Conference. — Begin-
ning at Peru, on the Illinois river ;
thence up the Illinois river to the
mouth of the Kankakee river ; thence
to Kankakee City; thence with the
Chicago Branch of the Illinois Cen
tral Railroad to Tolono; thence with
the Grreat Western Railway to Bement ;
thence direct to Shelbyville ; thence
down the Okaw river to Vandalia ;
thence direct to the mouth of the Il-
linois river ; thence up said river to the
place of beginning.
Rock River Conference. — Beginning
at the junction of the Mississippi and
Rock rivers; thence east with Illinois
Conference line, as above described, to
Kankakee City, 111. ; thence to the State
line between Illinois and Indiana ;
150 UNITED BRETHREN
thence nortli on said line to Lake Mich-
igan; thence along the shore of said
lake, north, to the line between Illinois
and Wisconsin ; thence west with said
line to the Mississippi river ; thence
down said river to the place of begin-
ning.
Wisconsin Conference. — Beginning
at Milwaukie, Wis. ; thence south to
the Illinois state line ; thence west on
the line between Illinois and Wiscon-
sin to the Mississippi river ; thence
up said river and the Wisconsin state
line to Lake Superior ; thence with
the shore of said lake and the Michi-
gan and Wisconsin state line to the
Wisconsin river ; thence down said
river to Portage City ; thence along
the Watertown and Portage City Rail-
road to Watertown ; thence along the
Milwaukie and Watertown Railroad to
the place of beginning.
JFhx River Conference. — Beginning
DISCIPLINE. 151
at Milwaukie, Wis.; thence by the
railroad lines to Watertown and Port-
age City ; thence up the Wisconsin
Kiver to the Michigan state line ;
thence with the state lines south-east,
and the western shore of Lake Mich-
igan, to the place of beginning.
Minnesota Conference. — Bounded by
the state lines.
Iowa Conference. — Beginning at the
junction of the Mississippi and Iowa
rivers ; thence up said river to the
southern boundary line of North Iowa
Conference ; thence east and south
with said line to the Mississippi river ;
thence with said river to the place of
beginning.
North Iowa Conference. — Beginning
on the Mississippi river with the north
line of the state of Iowa ; thence duo
west on said line to the west line of Win-
nebago county ; thence due south to the
Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad line ;
k
152 UNITED BRETHREN
thence east to the west line of Dela-
ware county ; thence due south to the
south line of township numbered 86 ;
thence due east along said township line
to the Mississippi river ; thence along
said river to the place of beginning.
East De& Moines Conference. — Begin-
ning at the mouth of the Iowa river ;
thence up said river to the east line
of Marshall county, Iowa ; thence
south to the Mahaska county line ;
thence west to the corner of said
county ; thence south to the Des Moines
river ; thence up said river to White
Breast creek ; thence up said creek to
the west line of Marion county ; thence
south to the corner of said county;
thence south-west to the Wayne county
line, six miles east of the north-west
corner of said county ; thence south
twelve miles; thence west six miles;
thence south to the Missouri state
line ; thence east on the line between
DISCIPLINE. 153
Iowa and Missouri to the Mississippi
river ; thence up said river to the
place of beginning.
West Des Moines Conference. — Be-
ginning on the north line of the state,
at the north-east corner of Kossuth
county ; thence west to the north-
west corner of the state ; thence down
Big Sioux river to its mouth ; thence
west to the north-west corner of
Blackbird county, Nebraska ; thence
south to the south line of Nebraska ;
thence east to Missouri river, and up
said river to the south-west corner of
the state of Iowa ; thence east on
the state line to the south-east corner
of Decatur county ; thence along the
boundary lines of East Des Moines,
Iowa, and North Iowa Conferences, to
the place of beginning.
Missouri Conference.— -^mhraees all
that part of the State of Missouri lying
north of the Missouri River.
154 UNITED BRETHREN DISCIPLINE.
Kansas Conference. — Beginning on
the west line of the West Des Moines
Conference at its intersection with the
Platte River; thence up said river to
the Colorado Territory line ; thence
south along the west lines of Nebraska
and Kansas to the thirty-eighth paral-
lel of north latitude ; thence east with
said parallel to the east line of Kan-
sas; thence north on said line and the
boundary of the West Des Moines Con-
ference to the place of beginning.
Ontario Conference embraces the
whole of Upper Canada.
Oregon Conference includes the state
of Oregon and Washington Territory.
California Conference. — Includes the
state of California.
Cascade Conference. — Includes all
the territory of Washington north and
east of the Cascade Mountains.
Osage Conference. — Embraces all of
the State of Missouri south of the Mis-
DISCIPLINE. 155
souri river, and all of tlie State of
Kansas south of the thirty-eighth par-
allel of north latitude.
Tennessee Conference. — Is bounded by
the Cumberland and Paint Rock mount-
ains.
OMo German Conference. — Bounded
by the state lines of Ohio, including
Covington and Newport, Ky., and the
German works in the state of Indijipa
and south-eastern Illinois.
East German Conference. — Embraces
all the territory in Pennsylvania and
Maryland east of the Alleghany mount-
ains.
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